Case Report: A Severe and Multi-Site Nocardia farcinica Infection Rapidly and Precisely Identified by Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing

Abstract

Nocardia genus is an aerobic, gram-positive, and opportunistic pathogen, which mainly affects cell-mediated immunosuppressed patients. Early diagnosis and treatment greatly improve prognosis. However, the limitation of golden standard-bacterial culture exists. Here, we report a 61-year-old male with pneumonia, sepsis and intermuscular abscesses induced by Nocardia farcinica . Venous blood culture reported negative results. Former improper diagnosis and treatment did not improve his condition. With the assistant of metagenomic next-generation sequencing, the pathogen was identified as Nocardia farcinica . He was then applied with accurate treatment and had a remarkable clinical and radiological improvement.