Disseminated nocardiosis coinfection with extrapulmonary tuberculosis in a patient with metastatic thymoma: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Patients with metastatic thymoma postintensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy are prone to opportunistic infectious diseases. Disseminated nocardiosis is a rare disease; however, its incidence has increased in recent years due to the growing population of immunocompromised hosts. We present the first report of Nocardia beijingensis infection with extrapulmonary tuberculosis coinfection causing muscular and brain abscesses in a patient with metastatic thymoma postintensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This case illustrates the possibility of coinfection with two pathogens and the difficulty in establishing a rapid diagnosis. Awareness of opportunistic infections and the early initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy are important for the treatment of immunocompromised patients with infectious diseases.