Asymptomatic cerebral abscesses after pleuropulmonary Nocardia farcinica infection

Abstract

We report the case of a 68-year-old man with long-term receipt of steroid therapy who was diagnosed with cerebral abscesses and pulmonary nocardiosis. This patient displayed only respiratory symptoms. Confirmation of Nocardia farcinica species was achieved by specific PCR sequencing of the 16S ribosome RNA in bronchoalveolar lavage cultures. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging revealed abscesses. Antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was prescribed given the results of susceptibility tests and was maintained for 12 months, with no evidence of relapse afterwards.

Keywords

• Abscesses
• disseminated
• Nocardia farcinica
• nocardiosis
• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole