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Cerebral Nocardiosis in a patient with Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinaemia
Patrick Tapley1, Tanya G Cranfield, Godwin K Simon
1Flat 1 York House Queen Alexandra Hospital Cosham Portsmouth PO6 3LY.
Acute Medicine
|May 25, 2011
Abstract:
Nocardiosis is caused by nocardia species, a Gram positive aerobic filamentous bacillus. It is ubiquitous in the environment and often presents as pulmonary disease in more than 70% of patients.1 Dissemination of the disease may manifest as brain abscesses, and is reported to account for approximately 2% of all brain abscesses.2,3 We present a case of cerebral nocardiosis in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia, previously unreported in the literature.
Insights
Nocardiosis, a rare brain infection caused by nocardia species, is presented in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia. This case highlights a previously unreported presentation of cerebral nocardiosis in this patient population.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
- Hematology
Background:
- Nocardiosis is an infection caused by Nocardia species, Gram-positive aerobic filamentous bacilli found ubiquitously in the environment.
- Pulmonary disease is the most common presentation of nocardiosis, affecting over 70% of patients.
- Cerebral nocardiosis, a rare manifestation, accounts for approximately 2% of all brain abscesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a unique case of cerebral nocardiosis.
- To highlight the occurrence of cerebral nocardiosis in a patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia, a previously unreported association.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Literature review for similar cases.
Main Results:
- A patient with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia developed cerebral nocardiosis.
- This specific association between Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia and cerebral nocardiosis has not been previously documented in the literature.
Conclusions:
- Cerebral nocardiosis can occur in immunocompromised patients, including those with hematological malignancies like Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia.
- This case underscores the importance of considering Nocardia species in the differential diagnosis of brain abscesses, particularly in patients with underlying conditions.
- Further research may be warranted to explore the potential link between Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia and an increased risk of Nocardia infections.
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