Rhodococcus equi infections in immunocompetent hosts: Case report and review

Rhodococcus equi is an unusual cause of infection in humans. Infection in i mmunocompetent patients is extremely rare-only 19 cases in immunocompetent hosts have been reported. Localized infections represent nearly 50% of repo rted cases. Pulmonary infections account for only 42% of infections in immu nocompetent hosts, compared with 84% of infections in immunocompromised hos ts. The mortality rate among immunocompetent patients is similar to 11%, co mpared with rates of 50%-55% among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infec ted patients and 20%-25% among non-HIV-infected immunocompromised patients. Treatment of infections in immunocompetent hosts depends on the site of in fection. Serious infections need to be treated with combinations of parente ral antibiotics, followed by combinations of oral antibiotics. Surgical tre atment is necessary for certain types of local infections. We report a pulm onary infection due to R. equi in an immunocompetent patient, and we review all reported cases of R. equi infection in immunocompetent hosts.