An unexpected case of broncholithiasis secondary to pulmonary nocardiosis

Nocardia is generally regarded as an opportunistic infection, affecting immunocompromised patients but case reports have been described in immunocompetent patients. Endobronchial nocardiosis is a rare manifestation of pulmonary nocardiosis. Persistent productive cough despite appropriate treatment warrants suspicion of pulmonary nocardiosis such as in this case, which resulted in an unexpected finding of a calcified broncholithiasis secondary to Nocardia infection. Key messagePersistent productive cough despite appropriate treatment warrants consideration of flexible bronchoscopy to obtain bronchial specimens for culture. Endobronchial examination of airways may reveal signs of infection in the form of purulent secretions, sputum plugs or in this case, an unexpected finding of a calcified broncholithiasis secondary to Nocardia infection.
Source: Respirology Case Reports - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: CLINICAL IMAGE Source Type: research