Renal infection with Mycobacterium chelonei

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Mycobacterium chelonei infections are uncommon, particularly in the renal system.
• Uraemic patients with arteriovenous shunts are at increased risk for disseminated infections.

Observation:

• A case of renal infection caused by Mycobacterium chelonei is presented.
• The infection was likely secondary to an infected arteriovenous shunt in a patient with uraemia.

Findings:

• Intravenous cefoxitin combined with oral erythromycin and rifampicin achieved urine sterilisation.
• The patient experienced a one-year stabilisation of renal function post-treatment.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for Mycobacterium chelonei to cause severe renal infections.
• Despite successful initial treatment, long-term renal function decline to end-stage renal failure can still occur.