title: Catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria: a case series including rare species.
abstract: Rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (RGMs) are responsible for a variety of clinical syndromes in humans including catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSIs). Recently, we identified a cluster of RGM-associated CRBSI at our institution. We describe the epidemiologic and clinical patterns associated with these infections. We conducted a retrospective single-center review of RGM CRBSI between May 2004 and June 2005. RGMs isolated from blood cultures of 6 patients included Mycobacterium mucogenicum (2), Mycobacterium fortuitum (2), and the rare RGM species, Mycobacterium neoaurum (1) and Mycobacterium septicum (1). All of the patients had a long-term intravascular catheter (mean duration, 6.5 months). Bacteremia was resolved in all patients after catheter removal and appropriate antibiotics. None of the patients suffered a relapse of RGM CRBSI, and all survived to 1 year. RGMs are causative pathogens in both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals with long-term intravascular catheters and blood stream infections. Recent trends at our center suggest that infections with these pathogens are rising.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. c-hawkins@md.northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stosor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents