title: Mycobacterium sherrisii Lung Infection in a Brazilian Patient with Silicosis and a History of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) diseases became relevant with the emergence and spread of HIV and are also related to lung infection in non-HIV individuals with structural lung diseases. Mycobacterium sherrisii is a NTM first characterized in 2004. Only a few cases have been reported. The aim of this case report is to describe the first detailed case of infection with M. sherrisii in a patient with silicosis and history of pulmonary tuberculosis. A 50-year-old HIV-negative white male, previous smoker, with silicosis and a history of treated pulmonary tuberculosis developed a worsening of cough and expectoration pattern, and two sputum samples were positive for acid-fast bacilli. Presumptive treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis was initiated with rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, but, at month 5 of treatment, despite correct medication intake and slight improvement of symptoms, sputum bacilloscopy remained positive. Sputum cultures were positive Mycobacterium sherrisii. Treatment regimen was altered to streptomycin (for 2 months), ethambutol, clarithromycin, rifabutin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. M. sherrisii should be considered a possible etiological agent of lung infections in patients with pneumoconiosis and history of tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Clinics Hospital, Federal University of Goiás, 1 Avenida, s/n, Setor Leste Universitário, 74605-020 Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Oliveira Abrão
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Medicine and Dermatology, Tropical Pathology and Public Health Institute, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil ; Hospital of Tropical Diseases Dr. Anuar Auad, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Alves
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: de Araújo Filho