Mediastinitis due to Nocardia asteroides after cardiac transplantation

Intensive Care Med. 1992;18(2):127-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01705048.

Abstract

Nocardia infection classically occurs in immuno-compromized patients. Only a few cases of mediastinal infection due to this pathogen have been described in the literature. We report a patient who developed mediastinitis due to Nocardia asteroides after cardiac transplantation. The treatment was surgical debridement, dressing, sugaring and antibiotic therapy. The emergence of a severe acute renal failure possibly induced by drug interaction between Cyclosporin, cyclines and aminoglycosides, led us to modify the antimicrobial treatment. The intravenous use of Imipenem 2 g per day and Ciprofloxacin 400 mg per day for four weeks and then oral Ciprofloxacin 1.5 g per day for 1 year, was effective and allowed a good outcome, without any drug interaction with Cyclosporin, adverse effect, graft rejection episode or infection relapse.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carbohydrates / therapeutic use
  • Cyclosporins / adverse effects
  • Debridement
  • Drug Interactions
  • Heart Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Mediastinitis / etiology*
  • Mediastinitis / microbiology
  • Mediastinitis / therapy
  • Nocardia Infections / etiology*
  • Nocardia Infections / microbiology
  • Nocardia Infections / therapy
  • Nocardia asteroides*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / etiology*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Surgical Wound Infection / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbohydrates
  • Cyclosporins