Nocardia asteroides-infected aneurysm of the aorta: case report and review of the literature

Vascular. 2006 May-Jun;14(3):165-8. doi: 10.2310/6670.2006.00025.

Abstract

Infected aneurysms of the aorta were first described as a result of septic emboli or contiguous spread from bacterial endocarditis and are usually caused by Staphylococcus or Salmonella species. We report a case of Nocardia-associated infected aneurysm of the native suprarenal aorta in an immunocompromised host. Surgical management consisted of placement of an interposition cryopreserved aortic homograft. Nocardia asteroides was identified on a microbiology specimen of the aorta and both microbiology and pathology specimens of the splenic tissue. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first carefully documented, unique case of a Nocardia-infected aneurysm treated with homograft interposition. In addition, pathologic and microbiologic data are included from the postmortem examination 10 months later.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, Infected / microbiology
  • Aneurysm, Infected / surgery*
  • Aortic Aneurysm / microbiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Middle Aged
  • Nocardia Infections / complications*
  • Nocardia Infections / immunology
  • Nocardia Infections / surgery
  • Nocardia asteroides*
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Opportunistic Infections / surgery