Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report

Abstract Background Nocardiosis is a rare infectious disease, which is frequently underdiagnosed because of the distinct bacterial shape of the causative agent and its developmental history. The morphological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can facilitate the detection of pathogenic bacteri...

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Main Authors: Yuyi Lai, Fuxian Zhou, Haibin Wang, Xiao He, Qiongli Zhang, Yuli Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04920-6
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author Yuyi Lai
Fuxian Zhou
Haibin Wang
Xiao He
Qiongli Zhang
Yuli Zhou
author_facet Yuyi Lai
Fuxian Zhou
Haibin Wang
Xiao He
Qiongli Zhang
Yuli Zhou
author_sort Yuyi Lai
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Nocardiosis is a rare infectious disease, which is frequently underdiagnosed because of the distinct bacterial shape of the causative agent and its developmental history. The morphological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can facilitate the detection of pathogenic bacteria by observing cellular–bacterial interactions. Case presentation An immunocompetent 67-year-old male patient of Asian ethnicity developed a cough without apparent cause 20 days earlier. We initially discovered mycobacteria that appeared to be Nocardia in the cytomorphological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was later determined to be Nocardia otitidiscaviarum through metagenomic next-generation sequencing and microbiological cultures. The patient was eventually diagnosed with Nocardia pneumonitis after other testing and clinical signs were considered. After anti-infective treatment, the patient improved and was discharged. Conclusion Several diagnostic approaches were used in this case, and the importance of cell morphology as an early screening method was emphasized for suspected Nocardia infection.
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spelling doaj-art-fa59f7249cc34a26a5ecc3da962224dc2025-08-20T02:49:09ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-11-011811510.1186/s13256-024-04920-6Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case reportYuyi Lai0Fuxian Zhou1Haibin Wang2Xiao He3Qiongli Zhang4Yuli Zhou5Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of NanningDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Yanbian University HospitalDepartment of Radiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of MedicineDepartment of Radiology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of MedicineDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Hangzhou Binjiang District Maternal and Child Health HospitalDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Westlake University School of MedicineAbstract Background Nocardiosis is a rare infectious disease, which is frequently underdiagnosed because of the distinct bacterial shape of the causative agent and its developmental history. The morphological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can facilitate the detection of pathogenic bacteria by observing cellular–bacterial interactions. Case presentation An immunocompetent 67-year-old male patient of Asian ethnicity developed a cough without apparent cause 20 days earlier. We initially discovered mycobacteria that appeared to be Nocardia in the cytomorphological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which was later determined to be Nocardia otitidiscaviarum through metagenomic next-generation sequencing and microbiological cultures. The patient was eventually diagnosed with Nocardia pneumonitis after other testing and clinical signs were considered. After anti-infective treatment, the patient improved and was discharged. Conclusion Several diagnostic approaches were used in this case, and the importance of cell morphology as an early screening method was emphasized for suspected Nocardia infection.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04920-6Nocardia otitidiscaviarumNocardiaBALFMorphological analysis
spellingShingle Yuyi Lai
Fuxian Zhou
Haibin Wang
Xiao He
Qiongli Zhang
Yuli Zhou
Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports
Nocardia otitidiscaviarum
Nocardia
BALF
Morphological analysis
title Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
title_full Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
title_fullStr Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
title_short Application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing Nocardia otitidiscaviarum: a case report
title_sort application of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytomorphology in diagnosing nocardia otitidiscaviarum a case report
topic Nocardia otitidiscaviarum
Nocardia
BALF
Morphological analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-024-04920-6
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