A case of multiple abscesses caused by Nocardia farcinica rapidly diagnosed by MALDI-TOF MS

Identifying Nocardia species in routine tests is often difficult owing to its culture time. We report a case of nocardiosis characterized by multiple abscesses of disseminated disease. A man in his 50 's presented with inflammation on the left buttock and right lower leg. Nocardia farcinica was isolated from the abscess on his buttock and confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Radiological assessment revealed multiple abscesses in his brain, left lung, and right thigh. He was successfully treated with antibiotics. Accurate species identification by MALDI-TOF MS aids in the optimal treatment of nocardiosis.