title: Mycobacterium chimaera causes tuberculosis-like infection in a male patient with anorexia nervosa.
abstract: Here we present a 27-year-old male patient--with a known prolonged history of anorexia nervosa (AN)--suffering from tuberculosis like infection. At the time he was admitted to clinical treatment, he had developed fever up to 40°C and survived on a body mass index of 11.8. In this case, Mycobacterium chimaera, generally recognized for low pathogenicity, was identified as the causative agent. Remission from lung infection was achieved after antibiotic treatment according to laboratory susceptibility testing while earlier antituberculosis therapies had failed. Because of a large cavity in the upper left lung, surgical excision was necessary to prevent recurrence of lung infection. Moreover, stabilization of the patient general health problem needs to be supported by a lasting psychotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine 2, Klinikum Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alhanna
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Purucker
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Steppert
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grigull-Daborn
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schiffel
authors.forename: Heribert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gruber
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borgmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology