Localized subcutaneous Nocardia farcinica abscess in a woman with overlap syndrome between systemic scleroderma and polymyositis

Nocardia farcinica is an increasingly common cause of human infection in Eu rope. We observed an isolated nodular subcutaneous abscess due to N. farcin ica in the forearm of a young patient with overlap syndrome between systemi c sclerosis and polymyositis. Despite in vitro resistance to trimethoprim-s ulfamethoxazole, this oral combination completely resolved the lesion withi n 3 weeks and was maintained for 6 months. The spectrum of cutaneous nocard iosis in the immunocompromised host is discussed.