Mycobacterium abscessus empyema in a lung transplant recipient.
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged as important pathogens in organ transplant recipients. Because NTM pulmonary infections vary in their clinical and radiographic presentations, heightened clinical suspicion is necessary for accurate diagnosis. We report a case of Mycobacterium abscessus empyema in a lung transplant recipient. Repeated attempts at identifying the organism from a variety of clinical specimens led to the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Fairhurst
Rick M
RM
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Kubak
Bernard M
BM
Shpiner
Robert B
RB
Levine
Michael S
MS
Pegues
David A
DA
Ardehali
Abbas
A
D000368:Aged; D016724:Empyema, Pleural / Q000382:microbiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000382:microbiology*