Pericarditis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium fortuitum: a case report

In this case study, pericarditis results from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium fortuitum. Both organisms were isolated from three different clinical specimens: a pericardial fluid, pericardium, and a thoracentesis fluid. A mixed mycobacterial culture was initially suspected upon examining Ziehl-Neelsen stained smears prepared from the primary cultures following seven to ten days of incubation. Dilutions and subcultures were subsequently performed, confirming the presence of two different organisms.