Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39780099›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2025

Triple-drug antibiotic therapy for disseminated nocardial abscess in the mediastinum and brain of an immunocompetent patient: a case report.

Yue Zhang, Zhongchun Qi, Hua Li, Hui Gao

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Yue ZhangDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Western Theatre Command, No. 270, Tianhui Road, Rongdu Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610000, People's Republic of China.
Zhongchun QiDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Western Theatre Command, No. 270, Tianhui Road, Rongdu Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610000, People's Republic of China.
Hua LiDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Western Theatre Command, No. 270, Tianhui Road, Rongdu Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610000, People's Republic of China.
Hui GaoDepartment of Oncology, General Hospital of Western Theatre Command, No. 270, Tianhui Road, Rongdu Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610000, People's Republic of China. gaoh_rad@foxmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNocardia are widely present in nature and considered opportunistic pathogens. They can result in hematogenous spread infection through the ruptured skin or respiratory tract when the host's immune system is compromised. Currently, 119 species of Nocardia have been identified, with 54 capable of causing infections in humans. Nocardial brain abscesses are a rare intracranial lesion that accounts for only 2% of all brain abscesses, but have a mortality rate of 20-55%. This article reports a successfully cured case of mediastinal Nocardia infection with disseminated brain abscess. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with intermittent chills, shivering, and fever, with the highest temperature of 39˚C, accompanied by shoulder and back pain, dizziness, and headaches. A chest-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple enhanced nodulars in the bilateral hilum and mediastinum. A head-enhanced CT revealed scattered multiple ring-enhanced nodules in both cerebral hemispheres and the left cerebrum, accompanied by extensive surrounding edema. The mediastinal puncture tissue culture confirmed the growth of Nocardia. After twice discussions with multidisciplinary team (MDT) to rule out the possibility of mediastinal and intracranial metastatic tumors, we promptly initiated treatment with a triple-drug antibiotic regimen consisting of imipenem/cilastatin sodium, linezolid dextrose, and Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). The patient ultimately achieved complete remission.

conclusionsMediastinal nocardiosis with disseminated brain abscesses is a rare condition that can be difficult to differentiate from brain metastases caused by lung cancer. Bacterial culture results, imaging features, and MDT discussions are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. A triple-drug antibiotic regimen has been found to be effective in treatment with acceptable levels of toxicity.

Indexed as

Anti-Bacterial AgentsBrain AbscessNocardiaNocardia InfectionsBrainCilastatin, Imipenem Drug CombinationDrug Therapy, CombinationHumansImipenemMaleMediastinumMiddle AgedTomography, X-Ray ComputedTreatment OutcomeAnti-Bacterial AgentsCilastatin, Imipenem Drug CombinationImipenemBrain abscessesMediastinal massNocardiaTriple-drug antibiotic therapy

Identifiers

PMID39780099
PMCPMC11715246

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.