Abstract: Objective To study the pathogens of subcutaneous and brain abscesses in a patient with SLE.Methods Specimens were taken from the leg abscess and spinal fluid of the patient.Then,smear,Gram's stain and culture were done to identify the pathogen.Results A strain of Nocardia farcinica was isolated,which was Gram's positive The colony was very similar to that of Nocardia asteroides in morphology and physiological characteristics,with a little difference in biochemical characteristics.N.Farcinica grew at 45℃;produced acid from glucose,rhamnose,or erythritol;did not decompose tyrosine and xanthine.It was acid fast and hydrolyzed urea.The strain was multi-drug-resistant and could cause multi-abscesses in mice.Conclusion N.Farcinica is pathogenic,virulent and multi drug resistant,and could cause severe outcome,especially in SLE patients.

Key words: Lupus erythematosus,systemic, Nocardia farcinica