Pulmonary Nocardiosis in a Kidney Transplant Recipient: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Nocardiosis is a life threatening disease in solid organ transplant recipients. It is an uncommon but important infection for these patients. We report a case of 37- year-old kidney recipient who developed pulmonary nocardiosis that was successfully treated with intravenous imipenem and tetracyclines in conjunction with a reduction in immunosuppressive therapy. Four years later, graft function remains stable with complete regression of radiological abnormalities and absence of relapses. This case emphasizes the role of new potent immunosuppressants and diabetes in the occurrence of opportunistic infections. Nocardiosis should be suspected in the presence of pulmonary symptoms with unusual radiological presentation.