Brain Absceses Caused by Nocardia – Two Case Reports

Czech version

Authors: S. Plíšek ¹; K. Honegr ¹; J. Kapla ¹; J. Scharfen Jr ^2,6; P. Prášil ¹; P. Kosina ¹; V. Hobza ³; R. Taláb ⁴; P. Eliáš ⁵; P. Ryška ⁵; M. Morávková ⁶; L. Plíšková ⁷; M. Bunček ⁸; M. Fridrichová ⁹
Authors‘ workplace: Klinika infekčních nemocí LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ¹; Národní referenční laboratoř pro patogenní aktinomycety, Oblastní nemocnice Trutnov a. s. ²; Neurochirurgická klinika LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ³; Neurologická klinika LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ⁴; Radiologická klinika LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ⁵; Ústav klinické mikrobiologieLF UK a FN Hradec Králové ⁶; Ústav klinické biochemie a diagnostiky LF UK a FN Hradec Králové ⁷; Generi Biotech s. r. o., Hradec Králové ⁸; Národní referenční laboratoř pro antibiotika, Státní zdravotní ústav Praha ⁹
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2011; 74/107(1): 78-82
Category: Case Report

Overview

The recorded incidence of human infections caused by Nocardia spp. has increased over the past 20 years, both in response to improved diagnostic techniques and to rising numbers of immunocompromised patients. Nocardial infections primarily affect the skin and lungs, but the bacteria may disseminate to any organ, including the brain. The diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from a Nocardia infection require an interdisciplinary approach. Here we describe two case reports of patients suffering from brain abscesses caused by Nocardia that required neurosurgical treatment.

Key words:
brain abscess – Nocardia farcinica – treatment – antibiotics – brain tumour

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