title: A case of Mycobacterium mucogenicum infection in a liver transplant recipient and a review of the literature.
abstract: Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections can be devastating in a postoperative liver transplant recipient on multidrug immunosuppressive therapy. Various atypical (nontuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) mycobacterial infections have been reported in the solid organ transplant population, but to our knowledge, no cases of Mycobacterium mucogenicum infections have been reported. Here, we report a case of a patient with end-stage liver disease secondary to primary biliary cirrhosis, model for end-stage liver disease score of 29, who underwent deceased-donor orthotopic liver transplantation, with her postoperative course complicated by multiple pleural effusions and peritonitis. Despite numerous courses of antibiotics, her condition did not improve. Acid-fast bacilli cultures grew M. mucogenicum, which was then treated with appropriate antimicrobical therapy. M. mucogenicum, a rapidly growing NTM that can be present in water contamination, should be recognized as a potential source of infection, especially in the immunocompromised population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Maybrook
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campsen
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wachs
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Levi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Mycobacterium chelonae; Mycobacterium mucogenicum; NTM; liver transplant; nontuberculous mycobacteria; peritonitis