An Unusual Case of Cutaneous Nocardia cyriacigeorgica Infection Assuming the Appearance of Shingles

TL;DR

A 69-year-old lung transplant patient developed a rash resembling shingles caused by a rare Nocardia infection.

Contribution

This case highlights an unusual presentation of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica mimicking shingles in an immunocompromised individual.

Findings

The patient presented with a shingles-like rash caused by Nocardia cyriacigeorgica.

Diagnosis was confirmed through culture, susceptibilities, and 16S rRNA sequencing.

The infection occurred in a lung transplant recipient, indicating immunocompromised vulnerability.

Abstract

Nocardia is an opportunistic organism that commonly infects the lungs of the immunocompromised and can cause disseminated infections. Diagnosis of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica is through culture and susceptibilities, aided by 16S rRNA sequencing. We report a case of a shingles‐like rash eruption due to Nocardia cyriacigeorgica in a 69‐year‐old patient with a history of bilateral lung transplant.

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