Background
Pulmonary nocardiosis is a rare disease. It usually affects immunocompromised patients. In this study we evaluated our clinical experience with pulmonary nocardiosis in our centre.
Method
It was a retrospective study done in Aga Khan University Hospital. Study was started after ethical approval. Cases from 2007 to 2017 were retrieved. Patient with diagnosis of Culture positive Pulmonary Nocardiosis with age more than 18 years included. Patient who were already on treatment of Nocardiosis at time of admission were excluded. Patients’ medical records were reviewed to identify epidemiologic, clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic features. Data was entered on SPSS V22.
Results
56 patient met inclusion criteria but 12 had missing data so 44 patients’ data was included at end. 8 patients had disseminated disease. 52% were immunocompromised and 48% were immunocompetent. 31 were females. Diabetes mellitus was most common comorbidity. Fever and shortness of breath were most common presentations. Pleural effusion and consolidation were most common chest xray findings. Mean white cell count was 12.35±7 ×109/L. 70% patient had some degree of hyponatremia. Culture showed that all strains were sensitive to amikacin and 67% were sensitive to imipenum. Mean length of stay was 7.7days. 30 day mortality was 23%. 16% required ICU stay. There was significant difference between immunocompromized and immunocompetent group regarding 30 day mortality (p value 0.019) and ICU admission need (p value 0.021).
Conclusion
Pulmonary nocardiosis is often missed, high index of suspicion is required especially in immunocompromised patients and mortality is often very high.