Rapidly growing mycobacterial pulmonary infection in association with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Pulmonary infection due to rapidly growing mycobacteria (Runyan group IV) is uncommon and may be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Esophageal disorders have been recognized as a potential risk factor predisposing for this infection. A 35-year-old Sri Lankan patient, with severe gastroesophageal reflux disease and a hiatus hernia, contracted a pulmonary infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum-chelonae. He had severe airway obstruction and focal bronchiectasis, and responded to treatment with ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin. The case is reported to alert clinicians to the pathogenic potential of these organisms and to the prompt institution of appropriate chemotherapy once infection is recognized.
Al-Mobeireek
Abdullah F
AF
Department of Medicine (38), College of Medicine, King Saud University, PO Box 2925, Riyadh 11461, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. mobeireek@yahoo.com
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications*; D006551:Hernia, Hiatal / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D017291:Clarithromycin