A case of multiple abscesses caused by Nocardia farcinica rapidly diagnosed by MALDI-TOF MS

Identifying Nocardia species in routine tests is often difficult owing to its culture time. We report a case of nocardiosis characterized by multiple abscesses of disseminated disease. A man in his 50 's presented with inflammation on the left buttock and right lower leg. Nocardia farcinica was isolated from the abscess on his buttock and confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Radiological assessment revealed multiple abscesses in his brain, left lung, and right thigh. He was successfully treated with antibiotics. Accurate species identification by MALDI-TOF MS aids in the optimal treatment of nocardiosis. (c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. CC_BY_NC_ND_4.0

Automated summary

This case report describes a patient with nocardiosis characterized by multiple disseminated abscesses. Nocardia farcinica was successfully isolated and identified using MALDI-TOF MS, and radiological assessment revealed the presence of abscesses in the brain, lung, and thigh. Accurate species identification aided in the effective treatment of nocardiosis.