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SevereRhodococcus equi pneumonia: Case report and literature review

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Abstract

Rhodococcus equi is an aerobic, gram-positive, non-motile pleomorphic bacillus infecting immunocompromized patients. Forty-nine cases ofRhodococcus equi infection have been reported, mainly in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virns (HIV). A case in whichRhodococcus equi eaused severe pulmonary infection, the most common presentation, is described. Clinically, patients have symptoms of pneumonia with hemoptysis as a prominent feature. X-ray will often show a cavitating upperlobe infiltrate, resembling infection with mycobacteria.Rhodococcus equi is easily cultured from blood or sputum on standard media, but is frequently regarded as a contaminant. Mortality fromRhodococcus equi pneumonia is high (25 %) and early surgical intervention has been recommended. Based on this review, the benefit of surgery seems dubious, whereas good results have been obtained using long-term antibiotic treatment with erythromycin plus rifampicin, or vancomycin in combination with either of these antibiotics.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Kettegårds Alle 30, DK-2650, Hvidovre, Denmark

    J. Vestbo, J. D. Lundgren & J. Gaub

  2. Medical Department P, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

    J. Vestbo

  3. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, Copenhagen NV, Denmark

    B. Røder & E. Gutschik

Authors
  1. J. Vestbo
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  2. J. D. Lundgren
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  3. J. Gaub
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  4. B. Røder
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  5. E. Gutschik
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Vestbo, J., Lundgren, J.D., Gaub, J. et al. SevereRhodococcus equi pneumonia: Case report and literature review. Eur. J. Clin. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 10, 762–768 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01972506

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