[Pulmonary infections with Mycobacterium xenopi in patients without HIV infection].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, microbiological features and outcome of Mycobacterium xenopi infections in patients attending a university hospital.


METHODS
We reviewed the files of HIV-seronegative patients meeting ATS criteria for M. xenopi pulmonary infection between 1993 and 2004.


RESULTS
Ten patients were studied (7 men, 60+/-27 years). All but one had underlying chronic health disorders (chronic lung disease, cancer, alcoholism, systemic steroid therapy). The clinical and radiological findings were those associated with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were detected by direct examination in 9 cases, and antituberculous treatment prescribed in 8 patients. Specific treatment was started an average of 60+/-25 days after sampling, and generally combined a fluoroquinolone, clarithromycin and rifampicin, with or without ethambutol, for a mean of 11.4 months (1-37 months). Five patients had surgical excision (diagnostic in 1 case). Four patients died of their underlying disease. Two patients recovered with antibiotics alone and three with antibiotics and surgery. One patient was lost to follow-up after five months.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary infection by M. xenopi is rare in HIV-seronegative patients. The prognosis depends mainly on the patient's underlying health status. Surgery is an important component of treatment.
Dixmier
A
A
Service de pneumologie, CHU Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
Meynard
J L
JL
Lalande
V
V
Lebeau
B
B
Chouaïd
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D019912:Mycobacterium xenopi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy
D000995:Antitubercular Agents