Pulmonary disease due to Mycobacterium xenopi. Report of two cases

Two patients with pulmonary disease due to M. xenopi are presented. Predisposing factors were alcoholism in one patient and previous tuberculosis with emphysema in the other. Whereas the disease was successfully treated in the first, M. xenopi was implicated as a contributory factor to death in the second. Histological examination in the latter case allowed no distinction from ordinary tuberculosis. A review of the literature suggests that infection with M. xenopi should be treated with a combination of rifampicin, isoniazid and one second-line drug, adjustments being made as results of sensitivity testing become available.