Fatal disseminated Nocardia farcinica infection in a renal transplant recipient.
Six years after a renal cadaver transplant, a 20-year-old girl developed multiple painful cutaneous abscesses and bilateral pneumonia secondary to Nocardia farcinica infection. Despite broad in vitro sensitivity to several antibiotic agents and aggressive medical treatment, the patient failed to respond and died after 10 weeks of therapy. We conclude that Nocardia farcinica is a very aggressive organism in immunocompromised patients and is often resistant to antimicrobial agents.
Rinaldi
S
S
Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Bambino Gesù Children Research Hospital, Piazza S.Onofrio 4, I-00165 Rome, Italy. rinaldi@opbg.net
D'Argenio
P
P
Fiscarelli
E
E
Farina
C
C
Rizzoni
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone; D008775:Methylprednisolone