Pulmonary nocardiosis complicating malignant lymphoma successfully treated with chemotherapy.

A case of pulmonary nocardiosis is reported in a patient with malignant lymphoma and hypoimmunoglobuliwmia. The nocardiosis initially appeared as a dense infiltration in the right qper lobe, subsequently as bilateral long infiltrations. Nocardia asteroides was found in infralaryngeal secretion obtained by transtracheal aspiration. Treatment with sulfadine, lrimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole (Septrin) led to clinical recovery and disappearance of the x-ray findings. Following discontinuation of treatment there was a relapse of the lung nocardiosis roentgenologically in the initial location. The need for prolonged treatment is stressed.