Nocardia cyriacigeorgica and aspergillus co-infection in a patient with giant-cell arteritis

Abstract

Immunosuppressed patients are at greater risk of unusual infections. The authors present the case of a woman with giant-cell arteritis, on oral steroids, who developed cavitating pneumonia due to co-infection with Aspergillus and Nocardia. Reports of such co-infection are rare in the literature. This case highlights the importance of considering rare pathogens in immunosuppressed patients who present with nonspecific symptoms, as well as the impact of such pathogens on clinical management. Another important issue is the need for prophylaxis against Nocardia spp. in immunocompromised patients.