Besteiro B, Coutinho D, Fragoso J, Figueiredo C, Nunes S, Azevedo C, Teixeira T, Selaru A, Abreu G, Malheiro L. Nocardiosis: a single-center experience and literature review.
Braz J Infect Dis 2023;
27:102806. [PMID:
37802128 PMCID:
PMC10582834 DOI:
10.1016/j.bjid.2023.102806]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Nocardiosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by Nocardia spp. However, an increasing incidence has been described whereby data about epidemiology and prognosis are essential.
METHODS
A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among patients with positive Nocardia spp. culture, from January 2019 to January 2023, at a Terciary Hospital in Portugal.
RESULTS
Nocardiosis was considered in 18 cases with a median age of 63.8-years-old. At least one immunosuppressive cause was identified in 70% of patients. Five patients had Disseminated Nocardiosis (DN). The lung was the most common site of clinical disease (77.8%) and Nocardia was most commonly identified in respiratory tract samples. The most frequently isolated species were Nocardia nova/africana (n = 7) followed by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (n = 3) and Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis (n = 3). The majority of the patients (94.4%) received antibiotic therapy, of whom as many as 55.6% were treated with monotherapy. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Selected antimicrobial agents were generally effective, with linezolid and cotrimoxazole (100% Susceptibility [S]) and amikacin (94% S) having the most activity against Nocardia species. The median (IQR) duration of treatment was 24.2 (1‒51.4) weeks for DN; The overall one-year case fatality was 33.3% (n = 6) and was higher in the DN (66.7%). No recurrence was observed.
CONCLUSION
Nocardiosis is an emerging infectious disease with a poor prognosis, particularly in DN. This review offers essential epidemiological insights and underscores the importance of gaining a better understanding of the microbiology of nocardiosis. Such knowledge can lead to the optimization of antimicrobial therapy and, when necessary, guide appropriate surgical interventions to prevent unfavorable outcomes.
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