Infection caused by Nocardia farcinica mimicking pulmonary metastasis in an adolescent girl

Pediatr Emerg Care. 2010 Mar;26(3):203-5. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181d1e3f7.

Abstract

Nocardia farcinica infections are rare and potentially life threatening. Herein, we describe a case of pulmonary nocardiosis caused by N. farcinica. This 13-year-old girl admitted with 1-year history of cough, intermittent fever, and recurrent hemoptysis. She was examined for multiple pulmonary nodules mimicking pulmonary metastasis that were detected with chest radiography and computed tomography of the thorax. Eventually, N. farcinica was yielded in culture of sputum and aspiration material of pulmonary nodules. No predisposing factor could be shown for Nocardia infection. Although infections caused by N. farcinica have tendency to disseminate, and are mostly resistant to antibiotics, the patient was successfully treated with prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy followed with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / microbiology*
  • Nocardia / drug effects
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification*
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nocardia Infections / drug therapy
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Sputum / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination