[A case of pulmonary infection with mycobacterium xenopi]

A 42-year-old man with pulmonary disease caused by Mcobacterium xenopi is described. He had a history of alcohol use of over 20 years. He was admitted to another hospital for evaluation of an abnormal chest shadow. A chest X-ray showed a cavitary shadow with infiltration in the right upper lung field. Acid-fast organisms were recognized in sputum and M. xenopi was identified by DNA-DNA hybridization. Although he had been treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, and ethanbutol for 5 years, sputum remained positive on culture and chest X-ray findings did not improve. He was later admitted to our hospital for surgery, and right upper lobectomy was performed. He has remained well for 18 months since the operation. In Japan, cases of the pulmonary infection with M. xenopi are rare. Surgical resection is required when chemotherapy is unsuccessful.