A case of severe Mycobacterium thermoresistibile pneumonia

We present a case of severe pneumonia associated with achalasia requiring intensive care unit treatment caused byMycobacterium thermoresistibile. We hypothesized the correlation between host and environmental factors leading to infection, citing its unique eponymous characteristics. We also reviewed published literature documenting cases of previous human infection with this organism. AbstractMycobacterium thermoresistibile is a thermotolerant nontuberculous mycobacterium which can rarely result in human infection. Although immunosuppression has been identified as a risk factor for infection, it is possible that mycobacterial laboratories may have previously under-recognizedM. thermoresistibile as standard mycobacterial incubation temperatures are suboptimal for culture of this organism. Here, we present a case of severeM. thermoresistibile pneumonia associated with achalasia requiring life support in the intensive care unit. We speculated that the interplay between specific host and environmental risk factors contributed to acquisition of infection. Infection with this fastidious organism required prolonged treatment with multiple antimicrobials and adjunctive therapeutic drug monitoring which led to clinical cure despite residual lung injury. We also reviewed literature documenting cases of human infection withM. thermoresistibile. The diagnosis ofM. thermoresistibile requires a high degree of clinical suspicion considering its association with immunosuppressive conditions,...
Source: Respirology Case Reports - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research