[Infection with Mycobacterium avium complex in the nonimmunocompromised host]

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary infections were historically rare, with few documented cases before 1982.
• The rise of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has led to an increased incidence of MAC infections, primarily in immunocompromised individuals.
• Infection in non-immunocompromised hosts remains an infrequent occurrence.

Observation:

• A case of an 80-year-old male patient is presented.
• The patient was not immunocompromised.
• The patient was diagnosed with a pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium avium complex.

Findings:

• This case highlights a rare instance of MAC pulmonary infection in a non-immunocompromised elderly patient.
• The findings challenge the established rarity of MAC infections in individuals without immune system deficiencies.
• The report contributes to the limited literature on MAC infections in the non-compromised host.

Implications:

• Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of MAC infections in non-immunocompromised hosts.
• Clinicians should consider MAC as a potential pathogen even in elderly patients without apparent immune compromise.
• This case underscores the importance of considering atypical mycobacterial infections in diverse patient populations.