Asian Oncology Research Journal

An Opportunistic Blood Stream Infection by Nocardia farcinica in Patient with Advanced Brain Cancer in at an Oncology Centre in North India

Vijeta Bajpai *

Department of Microbiology, MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi, India.

Ajay Kumar Choubey

Department of Radiation Oncology, MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi, India.

Anwita Mishra

Department of Microbiology, MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi, India.

Ankita Rungta Kapoor

Department of Radiation Oncology, MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi, India.

Amit Kumar

Department of Microbiology, MPMMCC & HBCH, Varanasi, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

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Abstract

Nocardia farcinica is an emerging opportunistic pathogen, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Early identification and appropriate antibiotic susceptibility testing are necessary for prompt diagnosis of nocardiosis as it has highly-resistant antibiotic profile. This can improve the chances of survival of the patients. Here we present a case of fatal N. farcinica bacterimia in a 52-year-old man with brain cancer. He was admitted with complaints of fever, loss of recent memory along with increased aggressiveness and occasional fits. Blood cultures were taken at the time of hospital admission and N. farcinica was isolated and identified by automated culture and identification systems. Despite prompt antibiotic treatment, patient succumbed to death after 48 hrs.

Keywords: Antibiotic susceptibility, Nocardia farcinica, nocardiosis, aerobic gram-positive rods

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