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Case Reports
. 2017 Dec 1;7(4):167-170.
doi: 10.6705/j.jacme.2017.0704.005.

Disseminated Nocardiosis with Lung, Liver and Spleen Abscesses in Sweet Syndrome: A Case Report

Yao-Min Hung  1   2 , Chih-Hsiang Kao  1   2 , Shue-Ren Wann  1   2 , Paul Yung-Pou Wang  3 , Yun-Te Chang  1   2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Disseminated Nocardiosis with Lung, Liver and Spleen Abscesses in Sweet Syndrome: A Case Report

Yao-Min Hung et al. J Acute Med. .

Abstract

Hepatic abscesses are rarely encountered in disseminated nocardia infections. We report a rare case of idiopathic Sweet syndrome (SS) who responded well to steroid therapy. However, he developed multiple abscesses in the lung, liver and spleen after 6 months of systemic steroid therapy. The culture result from liver abscess and sputum was diagnostic of disseminiated nocardiosis. Intravenous sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim was given and follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan revealed resolution of abscess. To conclude, nocardiosis should be suspected as a likely cause of lung, liver and spleen abscesses in patients undergoing long-term steroid treatment. A high index of clinical suspicion in patients with defects in cell-mediated immunity and prompt management by appropriate image studies are needed to prevent delay in diagnosis.

Keywords: Sweet syndrome; disseminated nocardiosis; hepatic abscesses; steroid.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Abdomen computed tomography revealed multiple abscesses over lung, liver and spleen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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