A case report of central nervous system infection by Nocardia nova in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus treated with steroids.

As a rare opportunistic pathogen of Gram-positive bacillus, Nocardia is capable of entering the human body through the respiratory tract and wounds, leading to disseminated infections in the lungs, skin, or systemically. The majority of patients infected with Nocardia exhibit defective or suppressed immune function. Herein, in this report, we present a case of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by a central nervous system infection caused by Nocardia nova. Specifically, a female patient was admitted to our hospital for treatment with a three-day history of headache, nausea, and vomiting, and was diagnosed with purulent meningitis caused by Nocardia nova after culture of her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Based on the characteristics of Nocardia nova and the results of the drug sensitivity test, we developed a clinical treatment plan, which led to the successful discharge of the patient. As research progresses, an increasing number of reports on infections caused by Nocardia are being released. The purpose of reporting this case is to provide a reference for both laboratory identification and clinical treatment.