First report of Nocardia wallacei infection in an immunocompetent patient in Zhejiang province.

ABSTRACT

Nocardiosis is an infectious disease caused by Nocardia spp., mainly affecting immunocompromised hosts. Nocardia infection is not common; especially Nocardia wallacei infection is even rarer. The patient, female, 61 years old, farmer, has been working in the field for a long time and has normal immune function. Her main clinical manifestation was persistent back pain. Chest-enhanced computed tomography showed pulmonary inflammation. Rare pathogen Nocardia wallacei was detected in alveolar lavage fluid using matrix-assisted laser destructive ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. She received treatment with linezolid and was discharged after her condition improved.