A Clinical Case of Pulmonary Nocardiosis in an Immunocompromised Patient

Abstract

Nocardia microorganisms are saprophytes, either non-pathogenic or pathogenic, causing nocardiosis. The clinically significant disease occurs in immunocompromised people, most often as pneumonia with cough, dyspnea, and fever. Antibiotic therapy, which is longer in time, is necessary. The main treatment is with sulfonamides, but the sensitivity of these bacteria varies. Therefore, the antibiotic susceptibility of the respective strain is important to apply combined therapy if needed. The risk of death without treatment is high, especially if the infection disseminates and the brain is involved. Antibacterial prophylaxis is therefore recommended in patients at high risk of nocardiosis. Our clinical case concerns an immunocompromised patient with isolated Nocardia from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).