Nonhealing wound due to Rhodococcus equi in an apparently immunocompetent patient, revealing CD8+ T-lymphocyte deficiency

J Clin Microbiol. 2010 Dec;48(12):4658-60. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01469-10. Epub 2010 Sep 29.

Abstract

We describe a case of a nonhealing wound due to Rhodococcus equi. Failure of the wound to heal led to immunological investigations and the discovery of a previously unknown CD8+ T-lymphocyte deficit responsible for the chronic infection. The infection was cured after a 3-month course of a combination of antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales Infections / drug therapy
  • Actinomycetales Infections / immunology*
  • Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphopenia / complications*
  • Middle Aged
  • Rhodococcus equi / immunology*
  • Rhodococcus equi / isolation & purification*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Wound Infection / drug therapy
  • Wound Infection / immunology*
  • Wound Infection / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents