Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 4, 2025
Long Term Chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa Airway Infection in Mice
Published on: March 17, 2014
Pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by Mycobacterium peregrinum: A case report
Yutaka Morita1,2, Yoshihiro Kondo1, Eiji Takeuchi3
1Division of Pulmonary Medicine, National Hospital Organization Kochi Hospital, 1-2-25 Asakuranishimachi, Kochi city, Kochi, Japan.
Rationale:
Mycobacterium peregrinum is a member of the group of rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria. It mainly causes surgical site and catheter-related infections, while pulmonary infection is rare. We herein present a case of pulmonary infection caused by M peregrinum.
Patient Concerns:
A 62-year-old woman visited our hospital with dyspnea and was admitted for the treatment of pneumonia in July 2018.
Diagnosis:
Chest computed tomography showed patchy opacities and consolidation in the bilateral lungs and a cavity in the right upper lobe, which persisted after the treatment of bacterial pneumonia 5 years ago. She was administered ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Consolidation in the bilateral lungs improved, whereas the cavity in the right upper lobe remained and the consolidation surrounding it gradually spread. On admission, the sputum acid-fast bacillus culture was positive, and M peregrinum was identified twice by mass spectrometry. The cavity and consolidation surrounding it were diagnosed as pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by M peregrinum.
Interventions:
Although we recommended treatment for mycobacteriosis, the patient refused it.
Outcomes:
The patient is regularly followed up; however, the cavity wall is thickening and shadows have become mildly enhanced over the course of 3 years.
Lessons:
We herein present a rare case of pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by M peregrinum and discuss the literature. Since limited information is currently available on pulmonary mycobacteriosis caused by M peregrinum, the accumulation of further case reports and the clarification of its clinical features are needed.
Insights
This case report details a rare pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium peregrinum, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium. The study highlights the need for more research into this unusual presentation of mycobacteriosis.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Mycobacterium peregrinum, a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium, typically causes surgical site and catheter-related infections.
- Pulmonary infections due to M. peregrinum are exceptionally rare, making this case noteworthy.
Observation:
- A 62-year-old woman presented with persistent pneumonia, exhibiting bilateral lung opacities and a right upper lobe cavity.
- Despite initial antibiotic treatment for bacterial pneumonia, the cavity persisted and surrounding consolidation progressed.
- Sputum analysis revealed M. peregrinum, leading to a diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacteriosis.
Findings:
- The patient refused recommended treatment for mycobacteriosis.
- Over a 3-year follow-up, the pulmonary cavity showed progressive thickening and mild enhancement.
- This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing rare pulmonary infections.
Implications:
- Further case reports are crucial for understanding the clinical spectrum of pulmonary M. peregrinum infections.
- Clarifying the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this rare condition is essential.
- Increased awareness among clinicians may improve early detection and management of similar rare mycobacterial lung diseases.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:29Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
01:26Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology