Mycobacterium fortuitum infections of the mediastinum

The clinical course of a patient with M. fortuitum infection of the mediastinum following open heart surgery is presented. Cure was achieved by aggressive and thorough surgical debridement of the mediastinum (including the edges of the sternum and other involved tissues) and by the administration of antimicrobial agents which are not usually thought to be effective in the treatment of mycobacterial infections.