ABSTRACT
Nocardia, an opportunistic, gram-positive, catalase-positive, rod-shaped bacterium found in soil and water, is known to cause infections in humans, predominantly among immunocompromised individuals, through inhalation or direct inoculation. This report details a rare case of a septic joint caused by Nocardia brasiliensis, which subsequently led to cutaneous involvement, in a patient with multiple underlying health issues. The management of this case was complicated by the patient's extensive medical history, including diabetes, chronic urinary tract infections, and recent surgical procedures, which necessitated a nuanced approach to antibiotic therapy. The treatment regimen underwent several adjustments in response to concurrent infections in other organs and the emergence of multidrug-resistant organisms. Despite an expanded arsenal of therapeutic options for Nocardia infections, treating such infections remains challenging due to potential adverse outcomes, particularly in immunocompromised patients prone to infection relapse. This case underscores the complexities involved in diagnosing and managing Nocardia infections and highlights the importance of tailored antibiotic therapy in achieving favorable outcomes while minimizing the risk of relapse.
ABSTRACT
METH and HIV Tat treatment results in increased oxidative stress which affects cellular metabolism and causes DNA damage in the treated microglia. Both, METH ± HIV Tat impair mitochondrial respiration, leading to dysfunction in bioenergetics and increased ROS in microglial cells. Our data indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction may be key to the METH and/or HIV Tat-induced neuropathology. METH and/or HIV Tat induced changes in the protein, lipid and nucleotide concentration in microglial cells were measured by Raman Spectroscopy, and we speculate that these fundamental molecular-cellular changes in microglial cells contribute to the neuropathology that is associated with METH abuse in HIV patients.
