Work

Severe Rhodococcus equi pneumonia following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with sintilimab and lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rhodococcus equi is a Gram-positive aerobic bacterium primarily associated with pulmonary infections in animals. Although rare in humans, such infections typically affect immunocompromised individuals, often presenting with severe pulmonary manifestations such as lung abscesses or cavitary pneumonia. This report describes a patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who developed cavitary pneumonia after receiving hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with sintilimab and lenvatinib. Diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi infection was confirmed via bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis. The infection was successfully managed with an adjusted antibiotic regimen of imipenem/cilastatin, levofloxacin, and amikacin.

Source: BMC Infectious Diseases

DOI: 10.1186/s12879-025-12193-7

Authors: Fang Luo, Ping Yao, Qingxian Cai, Minke He, Li Xu

Institutions: Southern University of Science and Technology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China

Language: English

Topic: Infectious Disease Case Reports and Treatments

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,090