Pulmonary nocardiosis associated with Cushing's disease: a case report

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2019 Oct 18;89(3). doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2019.1130.

Abstract

Nocardia spp. is a genus of Gram-positive bacteria which can cause cutaneous, pleuropulmonary, or disseminated disease. The latter two forms are encountered in immunocompromised patients, with prolonged usage of corticosteroids being a well-recognized risk factor. However, endogenous Cushing's syndrome is less frequently associated with nocardiosis. We report on a 40-year-old woman who presented for further workup of abnormal findings in the chest computed tomography (three lung nodules, one of which being cavitary). She underwent trans-thoracic fine-needle lung aspiration of the cavitary nodule, which led to the diagnosis of lung nocardiosis. Moreover, the identification of cushingoid features from the history and clinical examination initiated further investigation with hormonal laboratory assessment and bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling which established the diagnosis of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) hypersecretion (Cushing's disease). We conclude that pulmonary nocardiosis can be an opportunistic infection as well as a presenting manifestation of Cushing's disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / blood
  • ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / complications*
  • ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / pathology
  • ACTH-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma / surgery
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cushing Syndrome / blood
  • Cushing Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Cushing Syndrome / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nocardia Infections / drug therapy
  • Nocardia Infections / etiology*
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Opportunistic Infections / epidemiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / administration & dosage
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination