Primary cutaneous nocardiosis of the hand: a case report and literature review

A Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis of the Hand

BACKGROUND

Nocardiosis is caused by an aerobic actinomycete, most commonly introduced through the respiratory tract. The Nocardiae are gram-positive, partially acid-fast bacteria. Primary cutaneous nocardiosis infections are rare and caused by the traumatic introduction of organisms percutaneously. The manifestation is usually an opportunistic infection. Cutaneous involvement may develop as one of four types: mycetoma, lymphocutaneous infection, superficial skin infection, or systemic disease with cutaneous involvement. Diagnosis and evaluation of appropriate specimens are principally by culture.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 55-year-old female patient with diabetes type II presented with chronic skin lesions on the hand. Otherwise, her medical history was unremarkable. There were no signs of systemic disease. Direct examination of swabs demonstrated gramme bacteria and culture on Sabouraud agar was positive for Nocardia spp. The specimen of nocardiae was not identified. The patient was treated during nine months with sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim. There was an important clinical improvement of the cutaneous aspect of the lesions in hand. Some scars and fibrosis remained after nocardiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary cutaneous nocardiosis of the hand is a rare condition. The clinical diagnosis is difficult, and culture is mandatory.

Primary facial cutaneous nocardiosis in a HIV patient and review of cutaneous nocardiosis in India

Nocardiosis is an acute, subacute or chronic bacterial infection caused by several species of geophilic aerobic bacteria of the genus Nocardia. Cutaneous nocardiosis is an uncommon infectious disease that presents as primary cutaneous infection or as a sequale of disseminated pulmonary nocardiosis. Its rarity and as nocardiosis is not an AIDS defined disease it is often underreported. The global incidence of cutaneous nocardiosis is not exactly known. The frequency of nocardiosis in HIV patients has increased from 0.3 to1.85%. In Immunocompetent persons Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis is more commonly seen among gardeners and agriculturists. We report a case of extensive primary facial cutaneous nocardiosis due to Nocardia asteroides, in an adult immunocompromised lady who had no pulmonary focus. The lesions were seen as sinus tracts on the zygomatic arch, preauricular and Infraauricular regions. Bacteriological examination of the pus confirmed the presence of N. asteroides. The rarity of the presentation and Cutaneous nocardiosis in India is reviewed.

A chronic nocardial infection following conservative treatment of a high pressure injection injury of air

We present a case of recurrent cutaneous nocardiosis following a high pressure air injection injury which was treated conservatively. The patient subsequently developed multiple chronic granulomatous nodules in the palm and dorsum of the hand requiring repeated surgical debridements and long term antibiotics for complete resolution. Some reports suggest that high pressure injection injuries of air or water run a benign course and may be treated conservatively. However, inoculation by high pressure injection injury of air or water may result in chronic infections, which cause significant morbidity and are a therapeutic challenge. Although uncommon, they may be avoided by adherence to established treatment principles which include prompt recognition, realisation of its severity and aggressive treatment by open wound management, even for seemingly innocuous trauma or inoculum.