Disseminated Nocardia asiatica infection in an immunocompromised individual: A rare entity needs careful vigilance

Abstract Nocardia asteroides complex and Nocardia brasiliensis are common etiological agents of disseminated nocardiosis among immunocompromised individuals. Here we reported an uncommon case of disseminated nocardiosis with the involvement of lung, brain, soft tissue & pancreas by a rarely isolated species Nocardia asiatica in a HIV infected individual. Diagnosis was initially misinterpreted as tuberculosis based on the clinical and radiological findings. The isolate was identified to the species level with a 16S rRNA gene analysis & in vitro susceptibility was done as resistance is not uncommon among them. Clinical cure & radiological regression of lesions was observed except for brain after treatment with meropenem, amikacin & cotrimoxazole.