Background: Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI) is a well-described pathogen in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). However, peritonitis and severe sepsis as a complication of disseminated MAI is rare. We report a case that represents the first successful use of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) in the treatment of severe sepsis secondary to mycobacterial infection and only the second reported case of MAI peritonitis with no known predisposing factor other than AIDS.
Methods: Case report and review of the pertinent literature.
Results: A 36-year-old man with AIDS presented to the emergency department with acute-onset right-sided abdominal pain, fever, and chills. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple rim-enhancing fluid collections. Despite immediate surgical drainage and debridement and appropriate antimicrobial therapy targeting the non-tuberculous acid-fast bacilli found in intraperitoneal fluid, the patient developed severe sepsis and septic shock. Clinical improvement occurred after infusion of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) and specific antimicrobial chemotherapy directed against MAI.
Conclusions: Treatment with rhAPC decreases the mortality rate of bacterial sepsis of abdominal origin and may confer a similar benefit in the treatment of abdominal mycobacterial sepsis.