Open AccessDisseminated Nocardiosis: The Complexity of the Diagnosis
Author(s) -
Cristina Marques,
Márcia Gonçalves Ribeiro,
Maria Teresa Bonccoraglio,
J.E.P. Braga,
Alamanda Kfoury Pereira,
Ana Ogando
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of medical cases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1923-4163
pISSN - 1923-4155
DOI - 10.14740/jmc3673
Subject(s) - nocardiosis , medicine , nocardia , brain abscess , abscess , presentation (obstetrics) , nocardia infections , antibiotics , dermatology , surgery , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , biology
Nocardiosis is a rare infection in immunocompetent patients. Nocardia spp. is an uncommon cause of prostate abscesses and is responsible for only 1-2% of brain abscess. Hematogenous dissemination can occur, and presentation of abscesses in more than two locations is required to determine a disseminated nocardiosis. The microbiological diagnosis of this agent is still a challenge due to the complexity of its identification in regular laboratories. An early diagnosis and adequate treatment with effective antibiotics are critical for treating this entity. We report a case of a patient who presented with brain abscess with a previous medical history of prostate abscess to Nocardia spp. which evolved to disseminated nocardiosis.