Pleurocerebral Nocardia in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of Nocardia asteroides pneumonia and subsequent brain abscess in an immunocompromised host.


METHODS
Private, community, teaching hospital.


METHODS
A man readmitted to the hospital for a third time with a fatal brain abscess, after responding to (misdirected) therapy in previous admissions.


METHODS
Treatment with cefuroxime, erythromycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole at different times.


RESULTS
Patient's condition deteriorated and he died after one month of intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Because it is an infection of the immunocompromised host, it may be considered an AIDS-defining illness. Several other similar cases have been reported in the literature.
Idemyor
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Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Mercy Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60616.
Cherubin
C E
CE
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D009616:Nocardia asteroides; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination