Primary cutaneous nocardiosis of the ankle caused by N. brasiliensis: a case report

Infection. 2024 Oct;52(5):1677-1679. doi: 10.1007/s15010-024-02273-2. Epub 2024 Apr 26.

Abstract

Nocardia is a genus of aerobic, Gram-positive bacteria known for their filamentous and branching morphology. N. brasiliensis is the most common species causing cutaneous nocardiosis. We present a 67-year-old woman who developed abscesseson the back of her right ankle after walking barefoot on soil. Cultures from the cutaneous lesions grew N. brasiliensis. Antibiotic therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole given for a month provided near-complete resolution of her lesions.

Keywords: Cutaneous; Nocardiosis; Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Ankle* / microbiology
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nocardia Infections* / diagnosis
  • Nocardia Infections* / drug therapy
  • Nocardia Infections* / microbiology
  • Nocardia* / isolation & purification
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Supplementary concepts

  • Nocardia brasiliensis