Adjuvant interferon-gamma immunotherapy in a patient with progressive cerebral Nocardia abscesses

Despite advances in medical care, mortality due to cerebral Nocardia abscesses remains unacceptably high. The case of a typical immunocompromised patient, who deteriorated clinically despite optimal antimicrobial treatment, is reported here. Adjuvant immunotherapy with interferon-gamma resulted in partial restoration of the immune response and a corresponding clinical and radiographic recovery.