Streptococcus salivarius pneumonia with pulmonary nocardiosis in a rheumatoid arthritis patient treated with immunosuppressants.
- Author:
Ina JEONG
1
;
Eun Young HEO
;
Jae Seok LEE
;
Hye Ryoun KIM
;
Eun Young LEE
;
Young Whan KIM
;
Seok Chul YANG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine and Lung Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. scyang@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Streptococcus salivarius;
Nocardia;
Rheumatoid arthritis
- MeSH:
Arthritis, Rheumatoid;
Coinfection;
Humans;
Immunocompromised Host;
Immunosuppressive Agents;
Isoxazoles;
Methotrexate;
Middle Aged;
Nocardia;
Nocardia Infections;
Opportunistic Infections;
Pneumonia;
Streptococcus
- From:Korean Journal of Medicine
2009;77(1):128-132
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Streptococcus salivarius is a Gram-positive organism that belongs to the viridians group of streptococci. It is a relatively non-virulent bacterium that is part of the normal flora. It is rarely isolated from blood and is usually considered a contaminant. Nevertheless, S. salivarius may cause life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. There have been relatively few reports of S. salivarius pneumonia. Nocardiosis is also a rare opportunistic infection. Pulmonary nocardiosis is difficult to diagnose and, consequently, the diagnosis is often delayed. We report an unusual presentation with multiple pulmonary mass-like consolidations caused by a mixed infection of S. salivarius and Nocardia sp. in a 58-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis who was taking oral corticosteroid, methotrexate, and leflunomide. The patient's symptoms and radiographic findings improved after six weeks of antibiotic therapy
