Primary lymphocutaneous Nocardia brasiliensis infection

We report a rare case of primary lymphocutaneous Nocardia brasiliensis infection occurring in an elderly diabetic man maintained on long-term therapy with prednisone. The mode of inoculation was that of a puncture wound caused by a contaminated needle that occurred one month prior to the development of the clinically apparent infection. The course of this patient's infection was protracted and required two surgical procedures and several months of antibiotic therapy. A review of 15 previously reported cases is presented as well as a discussion of appropriate medical therapy.