Disseminated Nocardiosis in a Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Treated with Ibrutinib: A Case Report.

Abstract

Nocardia spp. causes localized and disseminated infections, particularly in individuals with humoral and cellular immune deficiencies or those receiving immunosuppressive treatments that target cellular immunity. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nocardiosis can lead to increased mortality due to its tendency to invade the central nervous system. Ibrutinib, a drug used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, suppresses B cells, thereby predisposing patients to opportunistic infections such as nocardiosis. In this report, a case of disseminated nocardiosis with pulmonary and brain abscesses caused by Nocardia farcinica in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with ibrutinib is presented.