Cervical adenitis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Rapidly growing mycobacteria, an infrequent cause of human disease, are increasingly being recognized as human pathogens rather than mere colonizers. Rapidly growing mycobacteria infrequently cause disease in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is unclear whether patients with AIDS are more predisposed than others to infection by these organisms. The optimal regimen and duration of treatment is similarly uncertain. Mycobacterium fortuitum is a rare cause of lymphadenitis or neck abscess. We report two cases of M fortuitum neck abscesses in patients with AIDS which were successfully treated with antibiotics after initial drainage. In one of these patients, M fortuitum neck abscess was the AIDS-defining illness. We also present a review of the cases reported in literature. It appears that such infections may be treated with a combination of ciprofloxacin and clarithromycin after incision and drainage of the abscess.