A Rare Instance of Simultaneous Infection with Disseminated Nocardia and Pulmonary Aspergillus in a Patient Receiving Treatment with Ibrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract

Disseminated Nocardia infections are a rare occurrence that typically occur in immunocompromised hosts. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a hematologic malignancy which makes patients susceptible to infections through various mechanisms. The treatments for CLL also target immunologic pathways which can contribute to infections. Ibrutinib is a commonly utilized tyrosine kinase inhibitor for CLL which targets the Bruton tyrosine kinase pathway. Although it is generally well tolerated, patients sometimes experience infections while on this medication, however, opportunistic infections are unusual. We present a rare, fatal case of a patient who developed simultaneous infections with bronchopulmonary Aspergillus and disseminated Nocardiosis to the subcutaneous tissues, lymph nodes and central nervous system while on treatment with ibrutinib for CLL.