Pericardial effusion with Mycobacterium avium complex in HIV-infected patients

Disseminated atypical Mycobacterium infection is a well-known opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients with advanced immune deficiency before the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy. Although the disseminated infection is now rare, few cases of localised infections are reported. A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with HIV infection during asymptomatic sexual health screening. Although he was asymptomatic on diagnosis, he had advanced immunodeficiency; therefore, combination antiretroviral therapy was started immediately. After 5 months of treatment, he developed pericardial effusion. Mycobacterium was detected from a culture of the pericardial fluid and Mycobacterium avium complex was identified using a gene probe test. He was treated with combination therapy for Mycobacterium infection and he fully recovered. Treatment continued for 4 years until he achieved adequate immune recovery.