Journal List > Tuberc Respir Dis > v.69(6) > 1001571

Lee, Park, Son, Jung, Kim, Lim, Lee, Hyun, Lee, Lee, Kim, Lee, Kang, Kim, Kim, Chang, Seo, Lee, and Park: A Case of Pneumonia with Septic Shock Due to Nocardia farcinia in Liver Transplant Patient

Abstract

Nocardia farcinia, an aerobic, gram-positive bacilli actinomycetes of the genus Nocardia, is an uncommon pathogen found in humans. The most common Nocardia infection sites are the lung, central nervous system, and skin. Even though hematogenous dissemination can occur, isolation of the organism from blood cultures is very rare. We report a case of Nocardia infection that was isolated on blood cultures. A 59-year-old male with a medical history that includes a liver transplantation 6-years prior due to hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to chronic hepatitis B, developed pneumonia and was transferred to Severance Hospital. At the time of admission, the patient's initial exam showed hypothermia, tachypnea, and hypotension. His chest radiograph showed severe pneumonia and a large abscess on left upper lobe. Under the presumptive diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia or other opportunistic infection, we started broad spectrum antibiotics. However, he developed Nocardia sepsis, rapidly deteriorated, and subsequently died.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1
Initial chest X-ray showed air containing consolidation and abscess at left lung and multiple small nodules at both lungs.
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Figure 2
The chest computed tomography revealed necrosis and volume expansion of left upper lobe. Several multiple nodules appeared at both lungs.
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Figure 3
(A) Colonial morphology of gram positive bacilli on a blood agar plate. (B) Gram-positive branched rods are observed (H&E stain, ×1,000).
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Figure 4
Last chest X-ray showed progressive consolidation at both lower lungs.
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