Mycobacterium gordonae as a human hepato-peritoneal pathogen, with a review of the literature

Mycobacterium gordonae was cultured from the liver of a 39-year-old woman who presented with ascites, weight loss, and fever. Laparoscopic examination revealed white nodules studding the peritoneum and liver surface, and histopathology revealed caseating granulomas. She was successfully treated with rifampin, ethambutol, and isoniazid. A review of the literature on M. gordonae as a human pathogen in presented. Our patient represents the third reported case of disseminated disease due to this organism and the first to be successfully treated by medical therapy alone.