Multiple brain abscesses due to Nocardia spp. in an immunocompetent patient

Biomedica. 2020 Mar 1;40(1):27-33. doi: 10.7705/biomedica.4925.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract
in English, Spanish

The infection by Nocardia spp is not common in immunocompetent patients. The empirical antimicrobial treatment directed by anatomical regions does not contemplate the particularities of the germ and the microbiological analysis is necessary for the specific treatment. We present the case of a previously healthy and immunocompetent patient, without known risk factors for Nocardia spp. infection, with evidence of involvement of the pulmonary parenchyma and the skin and subsequent development of multiple brain abscesses.

La infección por Nocardia spp. no es común en pacientes inmunocompetentes. El tratamiento antimicrobiano empírico dirigido según las regiones anatómicas, no contempla las particularidades del germen y el análisis microbiológico se hace necesario para el tratamiento específico. A continuación, se presenta el caso de una paciente previamente sana, inmunocompetente y sin factores de riesgo conocidos para la infección por Nocardia spp., con evidencia de compromiso en el parénquima pulmonar y la piel, que posteriormente desarrolló varios abscesos cerebrales.

Keywords: nocardia infections; brain abscess; anti-bacterial agents; skin diseases; infectious.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Brain Abscess / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Abscess / drug therapy
  • Brain Abscess / microbiology*
  • Ceftriaxone / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Headache / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroimaging
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis*
  • Nocardia Infections / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / complications
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Atelectasis / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ceftriaxone
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination