ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Introduction: Nocardiosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by Nocardia spp. However, an increasing incidence has been described whereby data about epidemiology and prognosis are essential. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among patients with positive Nocardia spp. culture, from January 2019 to January 2023, at a Terciary Hospital in Portugal. Results: Nocardiosis was considered in 18 cases with a median age of 63.8-years-old. At least one immunosuppressive cause was identified in 70% of patients. Five patients had Disseminated Nocardiosis (DN). The lung was the most common site of clinical disease (77.8%) and Nocardia was most commonly identified in respiratory tract samples. The most frequently isolated species were Nocardia nova/africana (n = 7) followed by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (n = 3) and Nocardia pseudobrasiliensis (n = 3). The majority of the patients (94.4%) received antibiotic therapy, of whom as many as 55.6% were treated with monotherapy. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Selected antimicrobial agents were generally effective, with linezolid and cotrimoxazole (100% Susceptibility [S]) and amikacin (94% S) having the most activity against Nocardia species. The median (IQR) duration of treatment was 24.2 (1-51.4) weeks for DN; The overall one-year case fatality was 33.3% (n = 6) and was higher in the DN (66.7%). No recurrence was observed. Conclusion: Nocardiosis is an emerging infectious disease with a poor prognosis, particularly in DN. This review offers essential epidemiological insights and underscores the importance of gaining a better understanding of the microbiology of nocardiosis. Such knowledge can lead to the optimization of antimicrobial therapy and, when necessary, guide appropriate surgical interventions to prevent unfavorable outcomes.
ABSTRACT
Convulsive seizures caused by hyponatremia occur when this condition is severe and develops quickly, resulting in a brain's adaptive inability to contain brain swelling. Seizures are rarely the cause of shoulder fractures. This is a case report of bilateral humerus fracture following a single epileptic seizure caused by drug hyponatremia, an unconventional event in medical practice. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room after a single tonic-clonic seizure with spontaneously ceased sphincter relaxation, showing Glasgow 6. No falls or restraint were reported by observers. When alert, the patient reported pain and difficulty moving both arms. During examination, the movement was li- mited to the right and left. Anteroposterior radiographs revealed bilateral fracture at the neck of humerus. To complement inves- tigation for further lesions, a computed tomography confirmed bilateral fracture-dislocation with impaction of the humeral head with the glenoid. Atraumatic bilateral fracture-dislocation of the humerus after epileptic seizure is a very rare event. It is believed that some of these diagnoses have been neglected due to the difficulty of characterizing the patient's pain in a postictal state. The importance of a detailed physical examination shall be emphasized in risk groups such as the polymedicated elderly.
Convulsive seizures caused by hyponatremia occur when this condition is severe and develops quickly, resulting in a brain's adaptive inability to contain brain swelling. Seizures are rarely the cause of shoulder fractures. This is a case report of bilateral humerus fracture following a single epileptic seizure caused by drug hyponatremia, an unconventional event in medical practice. A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room after a single tonic-clonic seizure with spontaneously ceased sphincter relaxation, showing Glasgow 6. No falls or restraint were reported by observers. When alert, the patient reported pain and difficulty moving both arms. During examination, the movement was li- mited to the right and left. Anteroposterior radiographs revealed bilateral fracture at the neck of humerus. To complement inves- tigation for further lesions, a computed tomography confirmed bilateral fracture-dislocation with impaction of the humeral head with the glenoid. Atraumatic bilateral fracture-dislocation of the humerus after epileptic seizure is a very rare event. It is believed that some of these diagnoses have been neglected due to the difficulty of characterizing the patient's pain in a postictal state. The importance of a detailed physical examination shall be emphasized in risk groups such as the polymedicated elderly.