Pulmonary Occupancy Combined Brain Abscess Caused by Nocardia Farcinica: Death Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background Brain abscess due to the Nocardia genus is rarely reported that usually found in immunocompromised patients. Treatment of Nocardia brain abscess is troublesome and requires consideration of the severity of the underlying systemic disease, the difficulties in identifying the bacterium and the frequent delay in initiating adequate therapy. Case Presentation Here, we report a rare case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia farcinica. The patient’s medical history was complicated, bacterial was found in culture of brain abscess puncture fluid, the colony was identified as Nocardia farcinica by mass spectrometry. Targeted antibiotic treatment was implemented, brain abscess tended to alleviate, but the patient eventually developed fungal pneumonia and died of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).Conclusion Early diagnosis, reasonable surgical intervention, and targeted antibiotic treatment are critical for Nocardia brain abscess treatment. Any delay in diagnosis and appropriate therapy can have adverseconsequences.