Abstract
In the present study, a case of disseminated abscesses caused by Nocardia in a patient undergoing immunosuppressive therapy for nephrotic syndrome and infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is described. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such case to be reported. The patient had membranous nephropathy and received systemic corticosteroid therapy for one year. During this time, the patient was diagnosed with HIV and developed disseminated abscesses in the lungs, brain and hip. Pathogens isolated from sputum and pus were identified as Nocardia asteroides. The patient was successfully treated following surgical drainage of the abscesses and by oral administration of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
Highlights
Nocardiosis is a rare but severe pyogenic infection that is most commonly found in patients who are immunocompromised (1)
Nocardia species are ubiquitous environmental microorganisms that are present worldwide and belong to a diverse group of bacteria known as aerobic actinomycetes
>50 species of the genus Nocardia have been characterized, with ≥16 species that have been implicated in human infection (4)
Summary
Nocardiosis is a rare but severe pyogenic infection that is most commonly found in patients who are immunocompromised (1). Common predisposing factors for nocardial infection include corticosteroid therapy, chemotherapy for neoplasms and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Patients with nephrotic syndrome have high morbidity of nocardial infection due to immunosuppressive regimens. The patient was admitted to the Changde Hospital, (Changde, China) and was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome.
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