[Mycobacterium lentiflavum lymphadenitis: two case reports]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Clinical Case Studies

Background:

• Lymphadenitis is the primary manifestation of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections in immunocompetent children.
• Mycobacterium lentiflavum is a recently described NTM species with distinct characteristics.

Observation:

• Two pediatric cases of persistent adenopathy were diagnosed with M. lentiflavum lymphadenitis over a decade.
• Diagnostic procedures included routine tests and mycobacterial culture, confirming M. lentiflavum.
• Both patients underwent prolonged oral antibiotic therapy.

Findings:

• One patient required surgical excision after five months of antibiotic treatment.
• The second patient achieved a complete cure with medical therapy alone.
• M. lentiflavum is an emerging NTM pathogen with unique clinical and microbiological profiles.

Implications:

• These cases underscore the need to consider M. lentiflavum in pediatric lymphadenitis evaluations.
• The varied treatment outcomes suggest a need for further research into optimal management strategies for M. lentiflavum infections.
• Increased awareness and reporting of M. lentiflavum cases are crucial due to limited existing literature.