Pulmonary nodule due to Mycobacterium haemophilum in an immunocompetent host

Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 1999 Oct;160(4):1366-8. doi: 10.1164/ajrccm.160.4.9904003.

Abstract

We present a case of a pulmonary nodular lesion in an immunocompetent patient documented at open lung biopsy to be due to Mycobacterium haemophilum. This organism has recently been recognized as a cause of disease in immunocompromised patients, presenting predominantly as skin lesions, arthritis, and rarely pneumonia. Because this mycobacterium is fastidious and difficult to grow without the use of special media and conditions, our case raises the possibility that M. haemophilum could be an underrecognized cause of granulomatous pulmonary lesions and should be considered particularly in cases where smears for acid-fast bacteria are positive but cultures are negative.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Mycobacterium Infections / immunology
  • Mycobacterium haemophilum*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnosis*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / immunology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / microbiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed