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Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Intradermal Inoculation of Mycobacterium avium in the Mouse Ear
Published on: July 3, 2025
Successful Diagnosis of Intestinal Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in a Kidney Transplant Recipient Using
J B Parr1, A M Lachiewicz1, D van Duin1
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Abstract:
Intestinal Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections are rare and can be challenging to diagnose. We describe a case of intestinal MAC infection in a kidney transplant recipient with 5 months of unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain who developed intestinal obstruction. Esophagoduodenoscopy with biopsies was performed but was nondiagnostic. Intestinal MAC was diagnosed via nasogastric aspirate culture results. The patient's symptoms rapidly improved after initiation of appropriate treatment, but he later died of aspiration pneumonia and candidemia.
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