Infection Caused by Nocardia farcinica Mimicking Pulmonary Metastasis in an Adolescent Girl

Babayigit A., Olmez D., Sozmen S. C., Makay B., Uzuner N., Karaman O., ...More

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE, vol.26, no.3, pp.203-205, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1097/pec.0b013e3181d1e3f7
  • Journal Name: PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY CARE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.203-205
  • Keywords: Nocardia infections, lung, adolescent, culture, pulmonary metastasis, IMMUNOCOMPETENT PATIENT, ABSCESS
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

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.