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Successful treatment of Nocardia actinomycetoma with meropenem and amikacin combination therapy
Author(s) -
Ameen Mahreen,
Vargas Felipe,
Arenas Roberto,
Mercado Elsa Vásquez del
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2010.04748.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amikacin , meropenem , nocardia , regimen , nocardia brasiliensis , combination therapy , surgery , adverse effect , antibiotics , dermatology , nocardiosis , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , antibiotic resistance , genetics , biology
Background Actinomycetomas are chronic, granulomatous, subcutaneous infections caused by the traumatic inoculation of actinomycetes bacteria into the skin which produces nodular lesions with draining sinuses and discharging grains. Actinomycetomas can cause profound disability, and despite long‐term chemotherapy, treatment failure is common. Aims We investigated the efficacy of a novel drug regimen for the treatment of a severe case of Nocardia actinomycetoma of the leg. Material and Methods A 31‐year‐old man was treated with an initial three‐week parenteral course of meropenem and amikacin combination therapy followed by long term oral sulphonamides. Results Treatment was well‐tolerated with no adverse effects, and there was complete clinical and microbiological cure with no recurrence. Conclusion Meropenem and amikacin combination therapy represents an important addition to the currently available treatments for actinomycetomas.