title: Pleural effusion in an immunocompetent woman caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum.
abstract: Mycobacterium fortuitum is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium that can cause pneumonia, abscess and empyema in subjects with predisposing lung diseases. However, pleurisy with effusion is rare. Herein, we report the case of a 74-year-old immunocompetent female patient without apparent risk factors, who suffered haemorrhagic pleural effusion as the main clinical manifestation. Pleural nodules were detected by computed tomography scan, and microbiological analysis revealed M. fortuitum in the absence of other pathogens. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin, and full recovery ensued in 4 weeks. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of haemorrhagic pleural effusion in an immunocompetent patient without underlying diseases. Although non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections are rarely accompanied by pleural involvement, M. fortuitum should be considered in such cases, especially when microbiology fails to detect the usual pathogens, and when the clinical picture is unclear.
authors: Section of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital St Anna, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Fabio
authors: F
authors: Fabbian
authors: Section of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital St Anna, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: De Giorgi
authors: Section of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital St Anna, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pala
authors: Section of Clinical Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital St Anna, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Fratti
authors: Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital St Anna, University of Ferrara, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.
authors: Carlo
authors: C
authors: Contini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002443:Ceftriaxone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D002443:Ceftriaxone