Pulmonary nocardiosis associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
A 69-year-old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, who was regularly followed and treated with prednisolone and danazol, was admitted to our hospital because of shortness of breath. Chest roentgenogram showed a large amount of left-sided pleural effusion. Gram-positive branching rods, subsequently identified as Nocardia farcinica, were isolated from the fluid. Antibiotic treatment together with pleural drainage with an intercostal catheter resulted in complete remission of pyothorax. Pulmonary nocardiosis is a rare disease, but recognition of the disease in immunocompromised patients and the prompt initiation of appropriate treatments based on isolation of the pathogen can lead to a successful outcome.
Ando
T
T
First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine.
Usa
T
T
Ide
A
A
Abe
Y
Y
Sera
N
N
Tominaga
T
T
Ejima
E
E
Ashizawa
K
K
Nakata
K
K
Eguchi
K
K
D000368:Aged; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009615:Nocardia / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000150:complications*; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology
D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D013845:Thienamycins; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem