Cutaneous Type of Nocardiosis Caused by Nocardia brasiliensis in an Elderly Patient

Abstract

Acute soft tissue infection with Nocardia brasiliensis is an uncommon manifestation in the elderly. A case of cellulitis and an abscess on the foot due to N. brasiliensis in a 77-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is reported. N. brasiliensis was isolated from fluid from the bulla. Treatment with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole for 6 months led to complete resolution and no evidence of recurrence was noted. Nocardia infection must be considered in the differential diagnosis for elderly patients with soft tissue infection, especially in those with severe underlying diseases, and we suggest that trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole is an effective and safe treatment.

Keywords

• cellulitis and abscess
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• geriatric
• Nocardia brasiliensis
• trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole