A case of disseminated infection with Nocardia brasiliensis in a lung transplant recipient.
BACKGROUND
Infection with Nocardia species is an increasingly recognized complication of solid organ transplantation. Nocardia asteroides accounts for most transplant-related nocardiosis, while Nocardia brasiliensis rarely causes infection in organ transplant recipients.


METHODS
We describe a case of disseminated infection with N brasiliensis in a single-lung transplant recipient who also had concomitant infections with viral and fungal organisms.


RESULTS
Although the mortality rate is high in immunocompromised patients with disseminated Nocardia infection, our patient responded favorably to prolonged antimicrobial therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates that N brasiliensis, like N asteroides, produces pulmonary disease and dissemination in solid organ transplant recipients, and demonstrates the utility of prolonged treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Nocardia infections.
Palmer
S M
SM
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Kanj
S S
SS
Davis
R D
RD
Tapson
V F
VF
D001706:Biopsy; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009617:Nocardia Infections; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000008:administration & dosage
D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole