The radiographic appearance of pulmonary nocardiosis associated with AIDS.
Pulmonary nocardiosis is a well-described infection in immunocompromised patients; however, it is less well documented in patients with AIDS. The pulmonary manifestation in 21 HIV-positive patients who developed pulmonary infection with Nocardia asteroides is described. The radiographic picture included lobar or multilobar consolidation (52 percent [11/21]), solitary masses (24 percent [5/21]), reticulonodular infiltrates (33 percent [7/21]), and pleural effusion (33 percent [7/21]). Cavitation was common (62 percent [13/21]), and upper lobes were more commonly involved (71 percent [15/21]). Although the radiographic picture is variable, nocardiosis should be suspected in an HIV-positive patient who has subacute pulmonary disease with an unexplained lung mass or cavitary lesions.
Department of Medicine, University of Miami School of Medicine.
M R
MR
Kramer
R B
RB
Uttamchandani
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009616:Nocardia asteroides / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography