Disseminated Nocardia Infection in an Old Male Patient with Nephrotic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Nocardia infection is a very rare bacterial infection caused by Gram-positive, aerobic nocardia species. However, in recent years, it has become a serious infection in immunocompromised patients. Earlier diagnosis plays a pivotal in the effective treatment of nocardia infection. METHODS: In this study, we reported a 65-year-old male patient with nephrotic syndrome who had disseminated abscesses in the lungs, right lower limb, and right cheek. RESULTS: Bacterial culture from these lesions confirmed the presence of nocardia. Timely administration of sensitive antibiotics resulted in a quick recovery for this patient. CONCLUSIONS: Nocardia infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious lesions, especially when a patient has multiple abscesses and an underlying disorder in which the immune function of the patient may be compromised.

The Role of Interleukin-9 in Cancer.

Interluekin-9 (IL-9) is produced predominantly by helper T cells such as Th2 and Th9 cells. It normally functions through the activation of a JAK/STAT pathway and plays a critical role in immunity and the pathogenesis of cancer. In cancer, it yields different responses depending on the cancer cell line involved. This review is a summary of what is known about the involvement of IL-9 in various cancer cell lines as well as its role in immunity with a focus on allergic responses.