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Mycobacterium gastri causing disseminated infection in children of same family

Ali Akbar Velayati1, Mohammad Reza Boloorsaze, Parissa Farnia

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences and Health Sciences, Darabad, Tehran, Iran.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|January 26, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric Mycobacterium gastri infection presents with cough, sweats, and weight loss. This report details the first known cases in children, highlighting atypical mycobacterial disease in this age group.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Atypical mycobacteria are increasingly recognized as causes of human infection.
  • Mycobacterium gastri is a rare cause of disease, with limited documented human cases.

Observation:

  • Two siblings presented with symptoms including productive cough, nocturnal sweats, and weight loss.
  • Physical exam revealed cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy, some with fistula formation.
  • Imaging showed diffuse nodular densities (boy), peribronchial thickening, hilar adenopathy (girl), and para-aortic adenopathies in both.

Findings:

  • Microscopic examination of sputum, gastric washings, and lymph node biopsies confirmed acid-fast bacilli.
  • Culture and identification isolated Mycobacterium gastri from all specimens.
  • This represents the first reported pediatric infections and fourth overall human cases of M. gastri.

Implications:

  • This study expands the known clinical spectrum of Mycobacterium gastri infections.
  • Highlights the importance of considering atypical mycobacteria in pediatric patients with persistent respiratory and lymphadenopathy symptoms.
  • Suggests M. gastri should be included in the differential diagnosis of disseminated mycobacterial disease in children.

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