Journal of Medical Sciences and Health

Introduction

Nocardia species are soil-borne actinomycetes belonging to the family Nocardiaceae. They are gram-positive, weakly acid-fast organisms known to cause primary cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, and pulmonary infections in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The clinical diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis remains challenging, and reported cases are relatively few. It represents a rare yet increasingly recognized bacterial infection with a high potential for misdiagnosis due to its clinical overlap with other respiratory pathogens, including other actinomycetes and Mycobacterium tuberculosis[1]. As a result, it contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Here, we describe a rare presentation of pulmonary nocardiosis

with extension to the overlying skin in a patient receiving prolonged steroid therapy for transverse myelitis.

Case History

A 31-year-old male computer engineer presented with a two-month history of left-sided chest pain, intermittent fever, and productive cough, accompanied by a progressively enlarging, soft, non-tender chest-wall swelling of one month’s duration. There was no antecedent trauma, and the overlying skin exhibited no abnormality. Six months prior, he had developed insidious-onset upper motor neuron–type paraparesis with early bladder–bowel involvement. MRI findings were consistent with a non-compressive intramedullary long-segment transverse myelitis, for which he received pulse methylprednisolone followed by high-dose oral Wysolone. Chest radiography demonstrated minimal left pleural effusion. Ultrasonography revealed a 3.7 × 3.3 cm hypoechoic lesion at the sixth intercostal space, suggestive of an abscess. HRCT showed subpleural lingular consolidation with adjacent perichondral soft-tissue thickening and a focal collection, raising suspicion for an infectious process. FNAC displayed chronic inflammatory changes without granulomas, necrosis, acid-fast bacilli, or fungal elements; Xpert MTB/Rif Ultra

was similarly negative. In view of persistent diagnostic ambiguity, a modified Ziehl–Neilsen stain was performed and revealed long, thin, partially acid-fast filaments consistent with Nocardia. A definitive diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis with associated chest-wall abscess was established. The patient received intravenous Septran and amikacin for four weeks, resulting in substantial symptomatic resolution.

Discussion

Nocardia species are aerobic, gram positive, weakly acid‑fast, catalase‑positive organisms showing fine right‑angled branching filaments. They are saprophytic bacteria which live in carbon‑rich sources like soil, decomposing organic matter and aquatic environment. N. otitidiscaviarum is capable of causing pulmonary infections involving pleura in a debilitated host[2]. There are more than ninety Nocardia species that have been known to cause disease in humans[3].

Certain risk factors like old age, malignancies, diabetes mellitus, chronic pulmonary diseases, alcoholism, medical immunosuppression, high dose steroids, organ transplants etc. play an important role in promoting the causation of nocardiosis. The most common site of infection is the lung because the major route of exposure being inhalation, followed by skin and soft tissue, brain, joints or bones.

Pulmonary nocardiosis may present as an acute, subacute or chronic disease, with exacerbations and sometimes remissions. Symptoms like fever, cough, breathlessness, hemoptysis, and weight loss are often diagnosed as tuberculosis or community‑acquired pneumonia. It may also mimic fungal pneumonia. Clinical manifestations include Endobronchial inflammatory masses, pneumonia, lung abscess, pleural effusion, empyema, and cavitary disease with contiguous extension to underlying deep structures[4]. In our case, the patient was on high dose steroids for transverse myelitis which made him more prone for this infection. 

As neither the CT or chest radiography is pathognomonic of pulmonary nocardiosis, the definitive diagnosis of Nocardiosis requires smear and culture of appropriate samples, like sputum and pus[5]. In this case, the laboratory should always be notified about its suspicion for proper diagnosis and recovery. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene has become the "gold standard" for speciation of Nocardia in recent times[6]. Fine needle aspiration cytology material is the crucial investigation in identifying the infection at sites that are easily amenable for aspiration.  Gram staining of the FNAC material aids in presumptive diagnosis of Nocardia[7, 8].

The burden of pulmonary nocardiosis seems to be highly underestimated. The disease should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia, not only in the immunocompromised, but also in the immunocompetent, especially when they are not responding to the standard therapy. In tuberculosis endemic countries like India, nocardiosis should always be excluded among patients not responding to anti‑tubercular treatment.

Early recognition and appropriate individualized treatment is the key to a successful outcome in these cases. Cotrimoxazole is still the drug of choice in the treatment of nocardial infection followed by Amikacin, imipenem, ceftriaxone, minocycline, levofloxacin, linezolid, and amoxicillin‑clavulanic acid in combinations[9]. Duration of the treatment depends on severity of the disease, usually lasting for usually 6–12 months[10].

Conclusion

Pulmonary nocardiosis should be considered in steroid-treated, immunocompetent patients with pneumonia. Because Nocardia grow slowly, they may be mistaken for tuberculosis. While speciation needs biochemical and molecular tests, modified acid-fast and Gram stains on cytology aspirates offer rapid clues for early empirical therapy.