Necrotizing Cutaneous Nocardiosis of the Hand: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

[摘要] Although an uncommon pathogen causing clinical disease, Nocardia species are ubiquitous microorganisms found in the environment with over 50 species identified [1]. The majority of Nocardia infections occur as pulmonary infections following inhalation in immunocompromised hosts, including patients with HIV, chronic corticosteroids, and persons taking immunosuppression after transplantation [2]. Less commonly, immunocompetent hosts can develop a cutaneous form of Nocardia infection after a traumatic percutaneous inoculum [3]. Disseminated disease often involves the brain, lungs and skin [4]. Despite the low incidence of Nocardia infection in both groups, several studies have demonstrated the need for a high degree of clinical suspicion in at-risk patients, where microbiologic diagnosis is delayed by slow bacterial growth in culture. Suspect patients require aggressive treatment given the high mortality rate associated with these infections [5–7].

[学科分类] 外科医学

[关键词] Nocardia;Necrotizing infection;Upper extremity;Reconstructive surgery