A CASE OF DISSEMINATED INFECTION WITH Nocardia brasiliensis IN A LUNG TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

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Abstract
Infection with Nocardia species is an increasingly recognized complication of solid organ transplantation. Nocardia asteroides accounts for most transplant-related nocardiosis, while Nocardia brasiliensis rarely causes infection in organ transplant recipients. We describe a case of disseminated infection with N brasiliensis in a single-lung transplant recipient who also had concomitant infections with viral and fungal organisms. Although the mortality rate is high in immunocompromised patients with disseminated Nocardia infection, our patient responded favorably to prolonged antimicrobial therapy. This case illustrates that N brasiliensis, like N asteroides, produces pulmonary disease and dissemination in solid organ transplant recipients, and demonstrates the utility of prolonged treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in Nocardia infections.