Mycobacterium xenopi: infection in an immunocompromised host

Mycobacterium xenopi was isolated from bronchoscopic and resected lung specimens from a patient who had diabetes mellitus and chronic myelogenous leukemia. While in remission, the patient developed spreading pulmonary infiltrates and died. At postmortem examination, acid fast bacilli were found in enormous numbers in histologic preparations of pulmonary hilar and mesenteric lymph nodes. Concomitant pulmonary infection with Aspergillus, Pneumocystis carinii, and cytomegalovirus was also evident. The probable dissemination of M. xenopi to pulmonary hilar and mesenteric lymph nodes attests to its invasive potential in the immunocompromised host and reinforces its role as an agent of nontuberculous mycobacterial disease.