Disseminated Nocardia cyriacigeorgica Infection Disguised as a Metastatic Adrenal Gland Malignancy in a Healthy Patient.

Mathew Daniel, Sadik Salman, Benjamin Adam
Author Information
  1. Mathew Daniel: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
  2. Sadik Salman: Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.
  3. Benjamin Adam: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, CAN.

Abstract

, typically recognized as an uncommon opportunistic pathogen affecting immunocompromised individuals, has also been documented in various case reports involving infections in immunocompetent hosts. Transmission occurs through inhalation or inoculation into compromised skin. Subsequently, it can lead to disseminated infection via hematogenous spread, affecting nearly any organ with a particular affinity for the central nervous system. Dissemination to the adrenal glands is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported. In this report, we present a rare case of disseminated , initially resembling a metastatic adrenal gland malignancy in an otherwise healthy individual. The patient presented with non-specific symptoms, had multiple sets of negative blood cultures, clinical findings suggestive of an underlying adrenal gland malignancy, and lacked identifiable risk factors for , creating a significant diagnostic challenge. Additionally, we review the existing literature on nocardiosis involving the adrenal glands. This case marks the third reported instance of a adrenal gland abscess in the literature.

Keywords

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