Lung cavitation due to Mycobacterium xenopi in a renal transplant recipient

Transpl Infect Dis. 2009 Jun;11(3):249-52. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00376.x. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

Mycobacterium xenopi is an unusual pathogen and few such cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a patient with a sirolimus-based immunosuppressive regimen, who developed lung cavitation. M. xenopi was isolated from the sputum. The patient was treated initially with rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide; levofloxacin was added to the treatment regimen after M. xenopi was demonstrated. A possible relationship between sirolimus and M. xenopi infection has been postulated, probably due to the combination of pulmonary toxicity and cellular immunosuppression of rapamycin.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / pathology*
  • Mycobacterium xenopi / pathogenicity*
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / microbiology
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / pathology*

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Sirolimus