Cavitary Pneumonia Caused by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in an Immunocompromised patient

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary nocardiosis is an opportunistic infection that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cavitary pneumonias with a protracted clinical course in immunocompromised patients. Access to advanced microbiological methods allows for timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Case report: We present the case of a 28-year-old woman with stage IV colon cancer undergoing chemotherapy and corticosteroid therapy, who presented with persistent fever and productive cough.

Results: Chest computed tomography revealed a cavitary lesion in the right upper lobe. Sputum culture identified Nocardia cyriacigeorgica using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Treatment with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole was initiated, resulting in favorable clinical and radiological outcomes.