Brain abscess caused by Nocardia nova.

Nocardia nova is a newly identified species of the Nocardia asteroides group and has recently been characterized as a human pathogen. To date, a few cases of N. nova pneumonia or subcutaneous abscess have been reported. We describe a patient with a brain abscess caused by N. nova in a patient receiving prednisolone and cyclophosphamide for nephrosis. Surgical excision and antibiotic treatment of the brain abscess were successful. This is the first detailed report of central nervous system infection due to N. nova.