Primary facial cutaneous nocardiosis in a HIV patient and review of cutaneous nocardiosis in India

Abstract

Nocardiosis is an acute, subacute or chronic bacterial infection caused by several species of geophilic aerobic bacteria of the genus Nocardia. Cutaneous nocardiosis is an uncommon infectious disease that presents as primary cutaneous infection or as a sequale of disseminated pulmonary nocardiosis. Its rarity and as nocardiosis is not an AIDS defined disease it is often underreported. The global incidence of cutaneous nocardiosis is not exactly known. The frequency of nocardiosis in HIV patients has increased from 0.3 to1.85%. In Immunocompetent persons Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis is more commonly seen among gardeners and agriculturists. We report a case of extensive primary facial cutaneous nocardiosis due to Nocardia asteroides, in an adult immunocompromised lady who had no pulmonary focus. The lesions were seen as sinus tracts on the zygomatic arch, preauricular and Infraauricular regions. Bacteriological examination of the pus confirmed the presence of N. asteroides. The rarity of the presentation and Cutaneous nocardiosis in India is reviewed.

Erythema Nodosum following Nocardia Infection: A Case Report

“…The clinical symptoms of our patient were consistent with previous cases, and a large edematous plaque with a fistula infection and fistula secretion were noticed on the left arm. In contrast to the localized lesions observed in immunocompetent patients, those with compromised immune function may have systemic symptoms, or even die [15,16]. Although Nocardia includes multiple bacteria species, there was no difference in the severity of the infection caused by these Nocardia species.…”

Primary Cutaneous Nocardiosis in a Patient With Nephrotic Syndrome

“…14 Primary cutaneous nocardiosis can present as lymphocutaneus syndrome, superficial skin infection (pustules, pyroderma, abscess, ulcers, granulomas, or cellulitis), sialoadenitis, and mycetoma. 8,15–18 The most common cause of primary cutaneous nocardiosis is N. brasiliensis .…”

Fatal Superadded Nocardia Infection in a Case of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

“…First case of human nocardiosis was reported by Eppinger in 1890 [2]. In the last couple of decades, there has been significant increase in the number of human cases.…”