Rhodococcus equi and Nocardia brasiliensis infection of the brain and liver in a patient with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia

Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1998 Oct;17(10):737-9. doi: 10.1007/s100960050172.

Abstract

Resolution of neutropenia is usually followed by resolution of fever in patients with febrile neutropenia. However, in some cases fever continues even when the patient is no longer neutropenic. Described here is a case of acute myeloblastic leukemia complicated by brain abscess, pulmonary nodules, and hepatic lesions. The patient's fever had continued after the neutropenia resolved; brain and hepatic cultures grew Rhodococcus equi and Nocardia brasiliensis. Although Rhodococcus infections occur frequently in patients with HIV infection, they are uncommon in patients with acute leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales Infections / complications*
  • Actinomycetales Infections / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Brain Abscess / complications*
  • Brain Abscess / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / complications*
  • Liver Diseases / complications*
  • Liver Diseases / diagnosis
  • Nocardia / isolation & purification*
  • Nocardia Infections / complications*
  • Nocardia Infections / diagnosis
  • Opportunistic Infections / complications*
  • Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • Rhodococcus equi / isolation & purification*