Doctors report first pulmonary nocardiosis case in patient whose only risk was ICS use
The 58-year-old had controlled moderate allergic asthma since childhood
Pulmonary nocardiosis typically affects immunocompromised patients, but French doctors have reported the first case of the bacterial infection in a man whose only risk factor was inhaled corticosteroid use.
Their 58-year-old patient, who had controlled moderate allergic asthma since childhood, had mostly managed to avoid inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment.
But within two years of starting the medication, he initially presented to his GP with symptoms of bronchitis with a productive cough and exercise-induced dyspnoea without wheezing.
Asthma treatment included montelukast and a long-acting beta2 agonist (fluticasone-salmeterol 250/50μg two doses per day) via Diskus powder inhaler.
