Disseminated nocardiosis in immunocompromised patient manifesting with lower extremity gangrene: A case report

Introduction Nocardia is an obligate aerobic actinomycetes in the genus Nocardia that exist throughout the world as soil and dust saprotrophs. It is uncommon gram-positive opportunistic bacterial infection that affects patients with impaired immune systems, solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs), and patients with hematologic malignancies. Case presentation Here we present a 6 years old male child with protein energy malnutrition and disseminated nocardiosis involving the lung and the soft tissue which later led to wet gangrene and amputation here we will be describing the various predisposing conditions alongside the clinical manifestation, the diagnostic workup, and the treatment course of disseminated nocardiosis. Discussion This case is being reported to emphasize the unusual clinical presentation of a unique infection that can resemble metastatic disease in the lungs and soft tissue. This similarity has led to challenges in diagnosing the infection and initiating early treatment, resulting in potential long-term consequences.