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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Brain Abscess | Case Report

Brain abscesses: the first report of disseminated Nocardia beijingensis infection in an immunocompetent individual in China

Authors: Lihong Jin, Weiqun Zhang, Fang Su, Youqi Ji, Yumei Ge

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Nocardia is widely distributed in the natural environment and typically cause opportunistic infections. However, it is important to note that the pathogenicity of different Nocardia species may vary significantly. Here we reported the first case of brain abscess caused by Nocardia beijingensis (N. beijingensis) infection in China. A 70-year-old male immunocompetent individual came to our hospital for treatment due to headache. After examination, it was found that he had a brain abscess caused by N. beijingensis. By utilizing a combination of surgical intervention and antibiotic therapy, the patient ultimately achieved full recovery. In addition, we isolated this strain and displayed its ultrastructure through scanning electron microscopy. The phylogenetic tree was analyzed by 16 S rRNA sequence. A literature review of N. beijingensis infections in all immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients was presented. It highlighted that abscess formation appears to be a common manifestation of N. beijingensis infection, and N. beijingensis has become an emerging pathogen in immunocompetent individuals.

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Title: Brain abscesses: the first report of disseminated Nocardia beijingensis infection in an immunocompetent individual in China
Authors: Lihong Jin
Weiqun Zhang
Fang Su
Youqi Ji
Yumei Ge
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Brain Abscess
Bacteriology
Intracranial Space-Occupying Lesion
Headache
Intracranial Hypertension
Geriatric Infectiology
Geriatric Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-024-03826-6

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