Document Type
Article (Restricted)
Publication Date
1-1-2013
Abstract
A patient with Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease was mistaken to have pulmonary tuberculosis with airway colonization by the non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Appropriate antibiotics were only given when the patient’s signs and symptoms worsened while on anti-tuberculosis therapy. Despite treatment with a combination of antibiotics showing in vitro susceptibility, the pathogen persisted in the respiratory secretions for longer than 6 months and the patient suffered a spontaneous pneumothorax 14 months into treatment. This case illustrates the chronic course of M. abscessus lung infection, the tendency for flare-ups, the inadequacy of current treatment regimens, and the necessity for prolonged patient follow-up.
Keywords
Indolent infection, Mycobacterium abscessus, non-tuberculous mycobacterium, sensitivity test, treatment regimen.
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
Respirology Case Reports
Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd