title: Spinal infection by Mycobacterium xenopi in a non-immunosuppressed patient.
abstract: A previously fit 77-year-old woman was found to have a paravertebral abscess. This was aspirated, yielding Mycobacterium xenopi, but no other pathogens. Antituberculosis chemotherapy with four first-line agents was commenced, with some response but continuing pain. Reports of extrapulmonary M. xenopi infections are rare. Most previous cases have involved immunosuppressed patients. This is the first reported case of spinal M. xenopi infection in a non-immunosuppressed patient, but radiological evidence suggests that previous tuberculous infection may have damaged the lumbar vertebrae, rendering them susceptible to infection by M. xenopi.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Phongsathorn
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bielawska
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology