Nocardial Brain Abscess

What is it about?

Nocardia is a ubiquitous microorganism which can be the cause of local and disseminated infection in humans. Immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients both can be affected and Nocardia cyriacigeorgica was reported as a pathogen isolated in patients worldwide. In most cases, nocardiosis is present as pulmonary infection because inhalation is the primary way of bacterial exposure. Nocardial brain abscess occurs usually secondary to a septic focus elsewhere in the body. Considering the facts that the elderly population is growing, such as the number of immunocompromised patients together with high mortality rate in patients with nocardial infection of the central nervous system, we have to raise aware-ness of the possibility for this rare but potentially fatal condition.

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Why is it important?

We present a case where nocardial abscesses of lung and brain were initially suspected as lung cancer with brain metastases.