Disseminated Mycobacterium szulgai infection in a patient with anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies

Abstract

Incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections has increased during the past decades. Disseminated infections are relatively rare and associated with immunocompromised status. We report a case of disseminated Mycobacterium szulgai infection of cervical lymphadenitis and pulmonary involvement with positive anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies. The patient was successfully treated with rifampin, ethambutol, and clarithromycin. The case reports and series through search engines of Pubmed and Google with the keyword of disseminated infection of M. szulgai were reviewed. Fifteen patients of disseminated M. szulgai infection were reviewed and included. DisseminatedM. szulgaiinfection involves bone, skin and lymph node more common instead of pulmonary involvement, and most are associated with immunocompromised status with neoplastic hematologic disorders. In patients with disseminated M. szulgai infection, long term anti-mycobacterial agents are necessary. Most patients will respond to rifampin and ethambutol combination regimens.

Keywords: Anti-interferon-gamma autoantibodies; Disseminated mycobacterial infection; Mycobacterium szulgai.