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Published on: January 31, 2020

Rare case of Nocardia asteroides pericarditis in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient

Sadao Jinno1, Tanawat Jirakulaporn, Matthew J Bankowski

  • 1University of Hawaii Internal Medicine Program, Honolulu, HI 96814, USA. sadao@gmail.com

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|May 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Nocardia asteroides, a bacterium, was identified in pericardial fluid from an HIV-infected patient after a long culture period. This delay impacted treatment, highlighting the need for a faster diagnostic algorithm.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Human Virology

Background:

  • Nocardia asteroides infections can occur in immunocompromised individuals, including those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • Pericardial effusion is a potential complication in HIV-infected patients, requiring accurate diagnosis for effective management.

Observation:

  • Nocardia asteroides was isolated from the pericardial fluid of an HIV-infected patient.
  • The isolation required a prolonged culture period, delaying diagnosis.

Findings:

  • The extended time for Nocardia spp. culture and identification influenced clinical decisions and patient care.
  • A diagnostic algorithm for Nocardia in pericardial fluid is proposed to expedite results.

Implications:

  • Timely identification of Nocardia species in pericardial fluid is crucial for appropriate and prompt treatment in HIV patients.
  • Implementing a standardized microbiological workup algorithm can improve patient outcomes by reducing diagnostic delays.

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