Nocardiosis in patients with nephrotic syndrome: a retrospective analysis of 11 cases and a literature review

Objectives We evaluated the clinical manifestations and outcomes of nocardiosis, a rare opportunistic infection that occurs in patients with nephrotic syndrome. Methods The records of NS patients with nocardiosis in a single hospital during 2000–2019 were retrieved and studied in detail. Results Eleven patients were included. The mean time to develop nocardiosis after glucocorticoid therapy was 11.5 ± 14.8 months. Most patients had fever, elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein, whereas procalcitonin levels were normal or slightly elevated in 91% (10/11) patients, except one patient suffered from septic shock. Nine patients were tested for CD4 + T-cell counts; of these, four patients had counts