Chronic Mycobacterium avium complex infection of the central nervous system in a nonimmunosuppressed woman

We report the case of a woman who developed chronic meningitis and a brain abscess due to Mycobacterium avium, without immunosuppressed state. She was treated with antituberculous drugs but the infection progressed and she died 4 years after first becoming ill. The occurrence of CNS infection with M. avium in the absence of acquired immunosuppression is rare. Its diagnosis is difficult, delaying clinical recognition and appropriate therapy.