Primary Nocardia farcinica brain abscess with secondary meningitis and ventriculitis in an immunocompetent patient,successfully treated with moxifloxacin

Summary We report a rare case of Nocardia farcinica occipital brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient with no underlying risk factors successfully treated with the antibiotic moxifloxacin. The patient underwent craniotomy and abscess drainage. Initial post-operative treatment with co-trimoxazole produced a limited response. Despite the development of skull base meningitis and ventriculitis subsequent addition of moxifloxacin produced an excellent outcome. Correspondence: Dr. R. P. D. Cooke, FRCPath, Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospital Aintree, Lower Lane, Fazakerley, Liverpool L9 7AL, UK.