Chronic relapsing neutrophilic meningitis as the sole manifestation of nocardiosis in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease

Abstract

We describe a rare case of a patient with mixed connective tissue disease maintained on chronic oral corticosteroids, who was hospitalized on five occasions over five consecutive months due to persistent relapsing neutrophilic meningitis caused by Nocardia asteroides. Immunosuppression due to the chronic use of corticosteroids was identified as the underlying mechanism of susceptibility. Our report highlights the challenges associated with systemic Nocardiosis, particularly in the immunocompromised host.

Keywords

• Nocardia
• Neutrophilic meningitis
• Mixed connective Tissue disease