Necrotizing Cervical Lymphadenitis Caused by Mycobacterium simiae in an HIV-Positive Patient: Imaging with (18)F-FDG...

Mycobacterium simiae (M. simiae) is an opportunistic pathogen rarely associated with human disease, although in recent years M. simiae has been detected with increasing frequency in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, usually causing disseminated infection with fever, diarrhea and weight loss. We report the case of an HIV-positive man, who was referred for an (18)F-FDG PET/CT to evaluate a solitary pulmonary nodule. The PET/CT showed incidental large necrotic cervical lymph nodes, compatible with necrotizing cervical lymphadenitis. Biopsy and culture of one of the affected lymph nodes were positive for M. simiae. We present the first report of (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging of an infectious process caused by M. simiae in humans.