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Nocardiosis diagnosed by lung FNA: A case report
Author(s) -
Busmanis Inny,
Harney Mary,
Hellyar Andrew
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840120113
Subject(s) - medicine , sputum , nocardia , lung , etiology , nocardiosis , actinomycosis , lesion , aspergillosis , pathology , fine needle aspiration , lung abscess , prednisolone , tuberculosis , metronidazole , surgery , biopsy , antibiotics , immunology , biology , bacteria , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology
A 63‐yr‐old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosed 12 mo previously and treated with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide presented with recent fever and dyspnoea. the etiology of a 3 cm diameter centrally cystic coin lesion in the lower lobe of the left lung was obscure. Blood cultures and sputum examination had been non‐contributory, and the diagnosis of Nocardia asteroides infection was initially made by cytologic examination of material obtained by lung fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). It is notoriously difficult to detect this organism by conventional sputum examination or with histologic sections, and it has rarely been detected by lung FNA. If this organism is demonstrated, appropriate microbiologic cultures for confirmation and susceptibility testing should be instituted. Long‐term antimicrobial therapy is needed. in this case, complete resolution of the lung lesion followed 5 mo of therapy.