Pulmonary infection with Nocardia species: a report of 10 cases and review

Clinical spectrum and outcome of Nocardia infection: experience of 15-year period from a single tertiary medical center

INTRODUCTION

Nocardiosis, although very rare, is considered as an important opportunistic infection; however, recent literature is limited. This study describes all cases of nocardial infection treated in the authors' hospital to provide more information about clinical manifestations, species isolated, treatment and outcome of patients with nocardiosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the clinical features and outcome of nocardial infections was conducted during a 15-year period (1996-2010) at Rambam Health Care Campus.

RESULTS

The study included 53 patients with nocardial infection, 43 of them had underlying immunodeficiency. The most common clinical form was pulmonary nocardiosis with and without dissemination (60%), followed by skin and soft tissue infection (21%), bacteremia (11%) and pertonitis (5%). Resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazile was detected in 15% of isolates; to imipenem in 5% and to ciprofloxacin in 65%. Overall mortality was 25% (13/53), mainly observed in patients with pulmonary involvement (37.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Nocardiosis is a rare infection and mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Higher index of suspicion is needed for earlier diagnosis and treatment to improve prognosis.

Nocardiosis in a tertiary care hospital in saudi arabia

BACKGROUND

Nocardiosis is an uncommon bacterial infection that is caused by aerobic actinomycetes of the genus Nocardia. This pathogen has emerged as an important cause of mortality and morbidity among both immunocompetent and (more commonly) immunocompromised hosts. The prevalence of nocardiosis is unknown in Saudi Arabia. Only sporadic cases of cutaneous nocardiosis have been reported. In this study, we performed a 10-year retrospective review of all cases of nocardiosis identified at the King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh. Clinical presentation, risk factors, site of disease involvement, radiological features, and outcomes of 30 patients with pulmonary and disseminated nocardiosis are presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all cases of nocardiosis over the last ten years.

RESULTS

Thirty cases of nocardiosis were identified. The disease was more common in males. Fever and cough was the most common presentation. Most of the patients had an underlying pulmonary disease. Consolidation was the most prevalent radiological feature. Pleural effusion was common. Unfortunately, none of the isolates were sub-speciated. Cure was possible in 40% of the cases. Ten percent of patients died, while follow-up on the rest of the patients was lost.

CONCLUSION

Nocardiosis is not uncommon in Saudi Arabia. Cases are not restricted to the classical immunocompromised host. A database is urgently needed to better evaluate the prevalence of the illness among the Saudi population.

Nocardia transvalensis pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent patient with radiographic findings consistent with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections

A chest roentgenogram of a 75-year-old immunocompetent woman showed disseminated micronodular densities in bilateral lung fields. Subsequent high-resolution computed tomography (CT) confirmed centrilobular micronodular densities associated with bronchial wall thickening and bronchiectatic changes. CT imaging also revealed volume loss with bronchiectatic changes in both the right middle lobe and the left lingular segment. Cytology specimens were then obtained through bronchial brushing and washes. Smears from right B2 and B4 revealed filamentous gram-positive, branched bacteria embedded among many neutrophils. Nocardia transvalensis was cultured from the bronchial wash, and no mycobacteria were identified. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Nocardia transvalensis pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent patient, and also the first detailed description of a Nocardia transvalensis pulmonary infection in Japan. Moreover, the radiographic and CT findings in this patient were quite similar to those seen in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infections, a pattern not previously reported in patients with Nocardia pulmonary infections.

Systemic nocardiosis caused by Nocardia concava in China

A 42-year-old man with polychondritis and a 2-year history of using low-dose prednisone and other immunosuppressive drugs was admitted to our hospital due to persistent high fever of 10 days duration. A strain of Nocardia was twice isolated from his blood and subsequently identified to be N. concava. The patient was initially treated with sulphadiazine sodium, vancomycin and imipenema for 7 days but the symptoms persisted. Consequently, the regimen was changed to sulphadiazine sodium, ciprofloxacin and amikacin sulfate based on the antibiotic susceptibility tests of the Nocardia isolate. The fever disappeared and the patient's condition improved after 10 days of this treatment to the extent that he was discharged. However, 7 days later, the patient's condition deteriorated and he died due to multiple organ failure. This is the first report of N. concava causing systemic nocardiosis in China.

Unusual infections: Femoral abscess due to Nocardia abscessus in a patient suffering from metastatic peripheral bronchial carcinoma and hygienic consequences

During the course of a peripheral bronchial carcinoma with pulmonary and cerebral metastases a femoral abscess developed in a 49 year-old patient after radio- and chemotherapy. A bacterial strain, which was isolated four times from a deep wound of the left thigh was tentatively identified as a member of the genus Nocardia on the basis of selected phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. The isolate was confirmed to belong to Nocardia abscessus by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This species had previously been described as the causative agent of soft tissue infections. Although rare, nocardia soft tissue infections as complication of systemic nocardiosis are typical air born infections of immuncompromised patients and need specific attention. Infection prevention can be realized by restriction of soil and aerosol (builder's dust) together with antibiotic intervention (oral administration of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole).

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

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.

Pulmonary nocardiosis from a tertiary care hospital in Southern India

The present study highlights eight cases of pulmonary nocardiosis diagnosed during the time period of January 2006-March 2008. Nocardia otitidiscaviarum, N. asteroides and N. brasiliensis were isolated from these cases. Whereas six patients were treated successfully, one showed partial response and one case expired before the institution of treatment. Early and correct microbiological diagnosis can help to decrease the disease-related morbidity and mortality.

Pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis

We report the case of a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiectasis, chronically using corticosteroids, who acquired pulmonary nocardiosis, which presented as multiple cavitated nodules. The principal symptoms were fever, dyspnea and productive cough with purulent sputum. Chest X-ray and computed tomography of the chest revealed nodules, some of which were cavitated, in both lungs. Sputum smear microscopy and culture revealed the presence of Nocardia spp. The patient was treated with imipenem and cilastatin, which produced an excellent clinical response.

Nocardiosis at the turn of the century

Nocardia species is an uncommon pathogen that affects both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. The clinical and microbiologic spectrum of nocardiosis has changed recently due to the widespread use of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, the emergence of new types of immunosuppressed patients, and the improved identification of isolates using molecular techniques. Nocardia asteroides was traditionally considered the predominant organism, and prophylaxis with cotrimoxazole was considered almost universally protective. We conducted the current study to determine the incidence of nocardiosis and its microbiologic and clinical characteristics in a general hospital over the last 12 years. We reviewed the clinical records of all patients in whom Nocardia species was isolated from clinical specimens between 1995 and 2006. Nocardia isolates were identified by standard procedures and by 5' end 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Susceptibility to cotrimoxazole, minocycline, imipenem, linezolid, and amikacin was determined by the broth microdilution method following the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute.The incidence of Nocardia infections did not increase significantly during the study period (0.39/100,000 inhabitants in 1995-1998 and 0.55/100,000 inhabitants in 2003-2006). Nocardia was recovered from 43 patients. Six were considered to be colonized. The colonizing species were N. farcinica, N. nova, and N. asteroides. All colonized patients had severe underlying pulmonary conditions and were treated with antimicrobials (6 patients) or corticosteroids (4 patients). Invasive nocardiosis was diagnosed in 37 patients (86.5% were men, and their mean age was 55.8 +/- 17.3 yr). The most common underlying condition in our institution was human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (10 patients; 27%), followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (8 patients; 21.6%), autoimmune diseases (8 patients; 21.6%), solid organ transplantation (7 patients; 18.9%), and cancer (4 patients; 10.8%). The most important risk factor for nocardiosis was corticosteroid administration (23 patients; 62.2%). Nocardiosis affected the lungs in 26 cases (70.3%), the skin in 3 cases (8.1%), and the central nervous system in 2 cases (5.4%). It was disseminated in 5 cases (13.5%) and caused otomastoiditis in 1 (2.7%). The species identified were N. cyriacigeorgica (32.4%), N. farcinica (24.3%), N. otitidiscaviarum (10.8%), N. veterana (8.1%), N. nova (5.4%), N. abscessus (5.4%), N. asiatica (2.7%), N. beijingensis (2.7%), N. brasiliensis (2.7%), N. carnea (2.7%), and Nocardia species (2.7%).Linezolid and amikacin were uniformly active against all the isolates, whereas 29.7% of isolates showed intermediate susceptibility to minocycline (minimum inhibitory concentration = 2 mg/L), 10.8% were resistant to cotrimoxazole, and 5.4% were resistant to imipenem. Nocardiosis occurred while the patients were on cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in 8 cases (21.6%). The strains isolated from these patients were susceptible to cotrimoxazole in 5 cases (62.5%) and resistant in 3 (37.5%). Overall, 13 patients died (35.1%); related mortality was 21.6% (8 patients). We conclude that HIV infection has become the most common underlying condition for invasive nocardiosis in our institution, followed by chronic lung disease. Previous use of corticosteroids was the main risk factor and was present in more than half the patients. New species of Nocardia have been identified, and administration of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis should no longer be considered highly reliable protection against nocardiosis. Larger studies of nocardiosis are required to better identify risk factors associated with mortality, and alternative and more effective methods of prevention must be developed.

Pulmonary nocardiosis mimicking relapse of tuberculosis

The present report concerns a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in an immunocompetent host. This patient was diagnosed as having smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis and received supervised antitubercular treatment for 6 months from a government run tuberculosis centre (Directly Observed Therapy, Short-Course (DOTS) centre). At 3 months after completion of treatment, she presented with fever and cough with posterior-anterior (PA) view chest x ray showing a cavitary lesion on left upper zone. She was subsequently diagnosed as having a case of pulmonary nocardiosis and responded to oral cotrimoxazole.

Pneumonia due to Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a patient with Crohn's disease treated with infliximab

Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) antibody, is useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease etc. It has been related to increases in the rate of several infections. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia due to Nocardia cyriacigeorgica who was taking infliximab, azathioprine and prednisone for Crohn's disease.

Nocardia - Opportunistic chest infection in elderly: A case report

In this rare case a non-immunocompromised patient with old Tuberculosis on low dose of steroids presents with opportunistic infection of a weakly aerobic gram positive acid fast, filamentous bacteria called Nocardia.An 80 year old non-smoking white female presented with cough, shortness of breath and purulent sputum.Initial antibiotics given were not helpful. Later microbial diagnosis was Nocardia in sputum sample which was uncommon in a non-immunocompromised. She responded to co-trimoxazole therapy.

Pulmonary nocardiosis: risk factors, clinical features, diagnosis and prognosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Pulmonary infection by Nocardia spp. has been recognized for the past 100 years. The number of cases of pulmonary nocardiosis reported in the literature is increasing, and in some cases, a diagnosis is reached even postmortem. This increase is partly due to the growing number of patients with depressed cellular immunity. The diagnosis of this infection, which has a high rate of mortality, is usually delayed, due to a nonspecific clinical-radiological presentation and the difficulties in cultivating the bacteria. This review analyzes the current situation, in order to better understand this infection and enhance awareness and clinical suspicion that would lead to further specific microbiological studies and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

The number of case series in the literature is increasing. This development may be due to an absolute increase in the number of immunocompromised patients, but also to improvements in laboratory techniques and molecular methods to detect nocardiosis.

SUMMARY

It is important to keep in mind, and suspect the presence of pulmonary nocardiosis in the immunodepressed patients with clinical pulmonary infection. Furthermore, the laboratory should be notified when Nocardia is suspected in a clinical specimen so that measures can be taken to optimize recognition and recovery of the organism.

Cavitary pulmonary disease

A pulmonary cavity is a gas-filled area of the lung in the center of a nodule or area of consolidation and may be clinically observed by use of plain chest radiography or computed tomography. Cavities are present in a wide variety of infectious and noninfectious processes. This review discusses the differential diagnosis of pathological processes associated with lung cavities, focusing on infections associated with lung cavities. The goal is to provide the clinician and clinical microbiologist with an overview of the diseases most commonly associated with lung cavities, with attention to the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of the host.

Treatment failure in community-acquired pneumonia

Treatment failure (TF) is defined as a clinical condition with inadequate response to antimicrobial therapy. Clinical response should be evaluated within the first 72 h of treatment, whereas infiltrate images may take up to 6 weeks to resolve. Early failure is considered when ventilatory support and/or septic shock appear within the first 72 h. The incidence of treatment failure in community-acquired pneumonia is 10 to 15%, and the mortality is increased nearly fivefold. Resistant and unusual microorganisms and noninfectious causes are responsible for TF. Risk factors are related to the initial severity of the disease, the presence of comorbidity, the microorganism involved, and the antimicrobial treatment implemented. Characteristics of patients and factors related to inflammatory response have been associated with delayed resolution and poor prognosis. The diagnostic approach to TF depends on the degree of clinical impact, host factors, and the possible cause. Initial reevaluation should include a confirmation of the diagnosis of pneumonia, noninvasive microbiological samples, and new radiographic studies. A conservative approach of clinical monitoring and serial radiographs may be recommended in elderly patients with comorbid conditions that justify a delayed response. Invasive studies with bronchoscopy to obtain protected brush specimen and BAL are indicated in the presence of clinical deterioration or failure to stabilize. BAL processing should include the study of cell patterns to rule out other noninfectious diseases and complete microbiological studies. The diagnostic yield of imaging procedures with noninvasive and invasive samples is up to 70%. After obtaining microbiological samples, an empirical change in antibiotic therapy is required to cover a wider microbial spectrum.

[Pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient who was a chronic corticosteroid user]

Pulmonary nocardiosis is an infrequent and severe infection caused by Nocardia spp. These are microorganisms that may behave both as opportunists and as primary pathogens, and they may present as either acute or suppurative chronic disorders. We report on the case of a 49-year-old man with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura that was being treated with corticosteroids. He developed pulmonary infection due to Nocardia farcinica, which was isolated from blood cultures. Despite correct treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, the patient died three months after this therapy was instituted.

Pulmonary nocardiosis after lung transplantation: CT findings in 7 patients and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to review reported radiographic clues to the diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis, as well as to describe and illustrate the high-resolution computed tomography findings of 7 patients with pulmonary nocardiosis after lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

Computed tomography findings of pulmonary nocardiosis after lung transplantation consist predominantly of nodules and cavitary lesions without any significant zonal or anatomic distribution. The diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis requires a high index of suspicion, as presenting symptoms are nonspecific, initial visualization is often not possible with routine stains, and identification requires prolonged cultures.

Pulmonary nocardiosis: risk factors and outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Pulmonary nocardiosis (PN) is an infrequent but severe infection caused by Nocardia spp., which can behave either as opportunistic or primary pathogens. The present study identifies the risk factors for PN, clinical symptoms and radiographic features and the factors that affect its prognosis.

METHODS

An observational study of all the patients diagnosed with PN over a 13-year period at the authors' institution.

RESULTS

Thirty-one adult patients were identified with PN, 11 of whom had disseminated nocardiosis. The predisposing conditions were COPD (23%), transplantation (29%), HIV infection (19%), alcoholism (6.5%) and treatment with steroids (64.5%). Respiratory tract sampling using non-invasive techniques had a diagnostic yield of 77%, while specimens from invasive methods had a yield of 47%. Mean time to diagnosis was 42 days. Dissemination to the central nervous system was related to alcoholism. The mortality rates were 41% for PN and 64% for disseminated nocardiosis; when Nocardia disseminated to the central nervous system, the mortality was 100%.

CONCLUSION

Specific risk factors were found in 94% of patients, with the most common being corticosteroid treatment and immunosuppressive therapy. The time to reach diagnosis and to prescribe specific treatment was considerable and mandatory assessment for nocardia in high-risk patients is required. The mortality rate of PN is high and early diagnosis and treatment are needed. Medications other than co-trimoxazole may be required.

Chest Wall Dissemination of Nocardiosis after Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy

We described a case of chest wall dissemination after percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy. A 65-year-old man had a lung nodule which was suspected to be lung carcinoma. He underwent percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy using an 18G semiautomated biopsy needle and pathologic diagnosis showed organizing pneumonia. Two months after the biopsy, chest wall dissemination occurred. Implantation of carcinoma along the biopsy route was suspected, but the mass was actually due to pulmonary nocardiosis.

Disseminated nocardiosis due to unusual species: two case reports

Pulmonary nocardiosis is the major clinical manifestation of human nocardiosis and disseminated infection can be seen in immunocompromised patients. N. asteroides is the predominant pathogen associated with disseminated diseases. We report 2 cases of pulmonary nocardiosis admitted with disseminated infection, caused by rare species of Nocardia: Nocardia transvalensis and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica.

Molecular diagnosis of fatal Nocardia farcinica pneumonia in an HIV-negative patient

Nocardiosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening infection caused by several species of the Nocardia genus. Most cases occur in immunocompromised patients, and a delay in establishing the diagnosis is common due to the non-specific clinical presentations and the difficulty in cultivating Nocardia. Although the majority of pulmonary nocardiosis cases are caused by Nocardia asteroides, cases of human infection due to N. farcinica are increasingly diagnosed due to recent developments in taxonomy and diagnostic methods. N. farcinica is a separate species from N. asteroides and appears to be more virulent and resistant to antibiotics. Herein, we describe the case of a 65-year-old HIV-negative immunocompromised patient with a fulminant bilateral pulmonary nocardiosis while on empirical treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and imipenem. Post-mortem diagnosis of N. farcinica infection was performed by means of DNA amplification and sequencing of the 65-kDa bacterial heat shock protein.

Actinomycoses and Nocardia pulmonary infections

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Actinomycosis and nocardiosis are uncommon pulmonary infections with distinct morphologic features. Both infections most commonly present as chronic, debilitating illnesses with radiographic manifestations simulating lung cancer or tuberculosis. Immunocompromised hosts, however, may develop fulminant disease resembling acute bacterial pneumonia. The purpose of this review is primarily to review the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of actinomycosis and nocardiosis.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treatment of actinomycosis is usually simple, requiring long-term, high-dose intravenous penicillin. Short-course chemotherapy, however, has recently been reported to be successful. Pulmonary nocardiosis is an important cause of opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed patients, and the incidence of this infection is increasing. The sulfonamides are still first-line agents in the management of nocardiosis, but resistance is most common among N. farcinica and N. otitidiscaviarum isolates. Carbapenems should be used as an alternative treatment for severely ill patients. Broth microdilution, E-test (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden) and BACTEC (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Maryland, USA) radiometric method may be more useful in the routine clinical laboratory for antimicrobial testing of aerobic actinomycetes.

SUMMARY

The practical distinction between the two diseases is in the matter of therapy. Diagnosis depends on a high degree of suspicion so as to alert the microbiology and pathology laboratories to employ special methods to identify the organisms. Early recognition and prompt treatment usually results in complete cure.

[Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus]

Nocardia is a gram-positive bacillus that infects mainly immunodepressed patients. Its association with lupus erythematosus has been described only occasionally and we have found no reports in the literature of an association between lupus and acute respiratory distress syndrome due to pulmonary nocardiosis. We present such a case and discuss the mechanisms that make this lung infection so virulent as well as its epidemiological and microbiological characteristics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment.

Nocardiosis en pacientes infectados por el VIH

BACKGROUND

Nocardiosis is a bacterial disease that occurs in immunocompromised patients, including those infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 27 HIV-positive patients with nocardiosis seen during the period of 1993 to 2004. Clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, predominant species, antimicrobial therapy and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among the total, 81% were males and the median age was 30 years. There was an elevated percentage of alcoholism (89%), smoking (80%) and intravenous drug use (82%). A previous positive serology for HIV infection was present in 85% of the patients. Plasma CD4+ T cell count at the time of diagnosis in 15 of 17 patients (88%) was below 50 cells/microl (median 15 cells/microl). The most frequent clinical onset was pulmonary in 70%, followed by cutaneous in 11% and disseminated in 11%. The main specimens for diagnostic bacterial isolation were sputum (54%), skin and soft tissues (22%) and bronchoalveolar lavage (19%). The predominant pulmonary radiological pattern was alveolar infiltration (74%), followed by cavitations (32%). The species was identified in 13 patients (48%); Nocardia asteroides was isolated in 84% (n = 11). The main antimicrobial drugs prescribed were cotrimoxazole (78%), amikacin (59%) and ciprofloxacin (33%). Dual therapy was used in 78% of the cases, with cotrimoxazole-amikacin being the most frequent. Overall mortality was 37%.

CONCLUSIONS

Nocardiosis is an unusual infection among HIV-infected patients. The diagnosis should be considered in patients with CD4+ T cell counts below 50/microL and lung or pericardial involvement.

Nocardiosis in a teaching hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey: treatment and outcome

Predisposing factors, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, treatment and outcome were analysed for nine consecutive patients with nocardiosis. Predisposing factors were identified in six (67%) of the nine patients. Clinical syndromes of nocardial infection were pulmonary infection (three patients), cerebral infection (five patients) and disseminated infection (one patient). The predominant (60%) species was Nocardia farcinica rather than the Nocardia asteroides complex. Treatment was started empirically, modified according to the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, and then continued for 6-12 months. Overall mortality was 33%, with death being caused by the Nocardia infection in two cases.

Nocardiosis y bronquiectasias. ¿Una asociación infrecuente?

OBJECTIVE

Nocardiosis is difficult to diagnose and infrequently associated with bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. This study analyzes the clinical and microbiological characteristics of 40 patients in whom microorganisms belonging to the Nocardia asteroides complex were isolated.

METHODS

We studied 27 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 45 years (8-82). Nocardia spp. were isolated in 129 samples. Cultures were performed with conventional methods; additionally, when branching Gram-positive bacilli were visualized on microscopic examination, modified BCYE-alpha (m) medium was used.

RESULTS

In 77.5% of the cases, investigation for Nocardia spp. was based on microscopy findings, in six patients it was a fortuitous finding in BCYE-alpha (m) medium, and in only three patients nocardiosis was clinically suspected. Twenty-five patients had nocardiosis (5 disseminated infection and 20 lung infection) and the remaining 15 were colonized. The most frequent risk factor in the infections, whether disseminated or not, was systemic glucocorticoid use (P 5 .001). The most frequent underlying pathology was bronchiectasis (80%), associated or not with cystic fibrosis. There were seven deaths and two patients had neurological sequelae.

CONCLUSIONS

Bronchiectasis was an important risk factor for colonization by Nocardia spp. (P 5 0.01) in all the patients studied, and for infection (P 5 0.05) in patients without cystic fibrosis. The use of BCYE-alpha (m) medium in processing respiratory secretions highly facilitated the isolation of Nocardia spp.

Diagnosis of infection in sepsis: An evidence-based review

OBJECTIVE

In 2003, critical care and infectious disease experts representing 11 international organizations developed management guidelines for the diagnosis of infection in sepsis that would be of practical use for the bedside clinician, under the auspices of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, an international effort to increase awareness and improve outcome in severe sepsis.

DESIGN

The process included a modified Delphi method, a consensus conference, several subsequent smaller meetings of subgroups and key individuals, teleconferences, and electronic-based discussion among subgroups and among the entire committee.

METHODS

The modified Delphi methodology used for grading recommendations built on a 2001 publication sponsored by the International Sepsis Forum. We undertook a systematic review of the literature graded along five levels to create recommendation grades from A to E, with A being the highest grade. Pediatric considerations to contrast adult and pediatric management are in the article by Parker et al. on p. S591.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtaining a precise bacteriological diagnosis before starting antibiotic therapy is, when possible, of paramount importance for the success of therapeutic strategy during sepsis. Two to three blood cultures should be performed, preferably from a peripheral vein, without interval between samples to avoid delaying therapy. A quantitative approach is preferred in most cases when possible, in particular for catheter-related infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Diagnosing community-acquired pneumonia is complex, and a diagnostic algorithm is proposed. Appropriate samples are indicated during soft tissue and intraabdominal infections, but cultures obtained through the drains are discouraged.

[Pulmonary nocardiosis and broncho-oesophageal fistula in a patient infected with HIV]

INTRODUCTION

We report a case of extensive pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient infected with HIV.

CASE REPORT

It presented as bilateral cavitated masses and bulky necrotic mediastinal lymphadenopathy causing broncho-oesophageal fistulae. There was associated infection with Mycobacterium Avium. There was satisfactory progress following bipolar oesophageal isolation, nutrition via a jejunostomy and antibiotic therapy with co-amoxiclav. Healing of the fistulae after 11 months allowed surgical restoration of oesophago-gastric continuity.

CONCLUSION

As with other bacteria, HIV can modify the clinical spectrum of nocardiosis.

Efficacy of amikacin combinations for nocardiosis

We isolated five bacterial strains from patients diagnosed as having nocardiosis. Bacterial species were identified based on the similarities in the nucleotide sequences of 16S ribosomal RNAs. Three of the five strains were identified as Nocardia asteroids, but unexpectedly other two were Streptomyces hygroscopicus and Rothia dentocariosa. The latter two species are not members of the family Nocardiaceae. We investigated the susceptibilities of these five strains to the following nine antimicrobial agents: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), minocycline (MINO), erythromycin (EM), amikacin (AMK), cefotaxime (CTX), faropenem (FRPM), imipenem (IPM), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), and sparfloxacin (SPFX). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges (mg/ml) were as follows: TMP-SMX, 4- > 32; MINO, 0.125-8; EM, < or = 0.016- > 32; AMK, 1-2; CTX, 0.063- > 32; FRPM, 0.063-16; IPM, 0.125-2; CPFX, 4-32; and SPFX, 0.5-16. Moreover, the synergistic effects of AMK in combination with each of TMP-SMX, MINO, EM, CTX, IPM, and SPFX were investigated by checkerboard synergy testing. No antagonism was recognized for the three N. asteroides strains. Synergistic and additive effects were observed for the combinations of AMK with CTX, IPM, or SPFX.

Pulmonary nocardiosis in a patient with CML relapse undergoing imatinib therapy after bone marrow transplantation

We describe a case of pulmonary nocardiosis in a female patient with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) underwent therapy with imatinib mesylate for a relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The patient developed chronic GVHD 8 months after the use of imatinib and was on corticosteroid therapy. Three months after the development of chronic GVHD, she acquired pulmonary nocardiosis and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed multiple nodular lesions with cavitations over both lungs. She was successfully treated with single-agent trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) and the infection did not recur. Our case indicated that pulmonary nocardiosis could occur in patients with GVHD undergoing imatinib and corticosteroid therapy and might be treated by single-agent TMP/SMX.

Nocardiosis in a tertiary care hospital on the island of Gran Canaria

Background: Nocardiosis is an uncommon but serious infection increasingly found in immunosuppressed persons. We describe 14 cases of nocardial infection seen at a tertiary hospital. Methods: All positive Nocardia cultures isolated from 1991 to 2002 were included. We analyzed predisposing factors, epidemiological and clinical features, laboratory and radiological findings, site(s) of infection, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, treatment, and outcome. Factors related to mortality were analyzed. Results: Nineteen patients with a Nocardia isolate were identified and 14 were finally included. The most common predisposing factors included pulmonary diseases (71.4%), diabetes mellitus (35.7%), systemic diseases (28.6%) and immunosuppressive therapy (28.6%). The site of infection was pulmonary in 12 cases (85.71%), cutaneous or subcutaneous in one case (7.1%), and disseminated in another case (7.1%). The predominant clinical symptom was purulent expectoration (71.4%) while the predominant radiological pattern was a reticulonodular infiltrate (6/12, 50%). Relapse was observed in one case (7.7%) and death in three cases (23.1%). Diabetes mellitus was associated with the mortality rate (p=0.035). Treatment was highly individualized, but trimethoprim (TMP)-sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was the combination most often used. Conclusions: Nocardiosis should be part of the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms, soft tissue infection, or brain abscess.

Nocardiosis: a review

Infections caused by Nocardia species are infrequent but challenging to clinicians. They cause a wide variety of diseases in both normal and immunocompromised patients. In recent years, the number of case reports has been increasing, and this can be attributed to the improvements in diagnostic capabilities and the higher clinical index of suspicion accompanying the increased prevalence of immunosuppressed patients. The treatment of nocardiosis also requires expertise. This report reviews the epidemiology, physiopathology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of this aerobic bacterial disease.

Pulmonary nocardiosis re-visited: experience of 35 patients at diagnosis

Pulmonary infection by Nocardia is an uncommon opportunistic infection in humans. Thirty-five patients with pulmonary nocardiosis were identified in two tertiary referral hospitals. A retrospective review of the patient characteristics, clinical and laboratory features including antimicrobial susceptibility at diagnosis was carried out. Radiological features derived from chest radiographs and CT scans were also documented. In our population, the predominant risk factors were immuno-compromised state, corticosteroid therapy, and underlying pulmonary pathology. The presenting features were similar to those previously described but disseminated infection was not common. The radiological changes were diverse and non-specific. Nocardia asteroides was the commonest species. Most Nocardia isolates were susceptible to imipenem, ceftriaxone, amikacin, and cotrimoxazole. Co-existing microbial agents are common and reflect the underlying complex disorders.