title: Nocardial brain abscess in a patient with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
abstract: Brain abscesses caused by Nocardia are rare but have a very high mortality and specific requirements of antibiotic treatment. Nocardial brain abscesses are mainly found in patients with predisposing conditions such as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a disease associated with chronic exposure to silica dust. We present a case of multiple nocardial brain abscesses in a man with PAP probably due to long-term occupational exposure to silica dust. Conclusively, in patients presenting brain abscesses and a history of chronic exposure to silica dust, PAP and opportunistic nocardial infection should always be considered as possible diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Kiana
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shirani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Asger Nyborg
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Nosocomial Infection Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Atousa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hakamifard
keywords: Brain abscess; Nocardia; immunosuppression; pulmonary alveolar proteinosis; silica dust