Adjuvant interferon-gamma immunotherapy in a patient with progressive cerebral Nocardia abscesses

- Nocardiosis is a rare gram-positive bacterial infection caused by aerobic actinomycetes most commonly observed in patients with immune defects.
- Mortality remains high despite optimal antimicrobial treatment, especially in patients with multiple Nocardia lesions.
- The use of adjuvant immunotherapy with interferon-gamma as adjuvant salvage therapy could be considered.

SummaryDespite advances in medical care, mortality due to cerebral Nocardia abscesses remains unacceptably high. The case of a typical immunocompromised patient, who deteriorated clinically despite optimal antimicrobial treatment, is reported here. Adjuvant immunotherapy with interferon-gamma resulted in partial restoration of the immune response and a corresponding clinical and radiographic recovery.