Postgraduate Medical Journal, 1987, Vol 63, 455-458
Nocardia infection in splenectomized patients: case reports and a review of the literature
EA Abdi, JC Ding and IA Cooper
Haematology Research Unit, Peter MacCallum Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Opportunistic infections are increasingly becoming a problem in cancer
patients amongst whom infection with Nocardia species is particularly
difficult to detect due to the capricious natural history of the disease.
Three cases of Nocardia infection in patients who had undergone splenectomy
for haematological malignancy are presented. These cases illustrate the
diverse mode of presentation, the natural history and the difficulties in
early and accurate diagnosis of Nocardia infection. Despite the
difficulties in arriving at the correct diagnosis, these cases highlight
the importance of early institution of appropriate antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotics should be given in adequate doses to control the initial
infection and be maintained for a prolonged period to prevent relapses.
