In
disseminated forms, the aerobic actinomycetes can spread further, throughout the entire body.
- Spread within the thoracic cavity from the lung, dissemination throughout the abdomen.
- Spread to the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain.
- Bacteremia is possible.
The patient was immunocompromised due to treatment for multiple myeloma and other health concerns. Surgical drainage of a large intracranial abscess was performed, and the microbiologic cultures were positive for Nocardia farcinica. Serial MRIs of the brain during the course of treatment show a decrease in the size of the large brain abscess. The patient was cured after a long course of antibiotics. (See Figure 3 in the above publication link.)
9. Xu N, Li L, Lei W, Qian W. Nocardia farcinica Brain Abscess in a Multiple Myeloma Patient Treated with Proteasome Inhibitor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Brain Sci. 2021;11(9):1204. Published 2021 Sep 13. doi:10.3390/brainsci11091204. Accessed November 11, 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/9/1204/htm
