Nocardiosis in Adult-Onset Still's Disease and Vasculitis Syndrome

Four cases of nocardiosis in patients with adult-onset Still disease and vasculitis syndrome are presented. Three patients developed lung abscesses and 1 case developed a brain abscess. All were treated with high-dose corticosteroids, and 3 were given cyclosporine when they developed nocardiosis. All patients were successfully treated with antibiotics; cyclosporine was discontinued in 2 cases. These cases indicate that systemic nocardiosis can develop in patients with various rheumatologic diseases who are treated with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporine.