Mycobacterium mucogenicum bacteremia: major role of clinical microbiologists

BMC Infect Dis. 2018 Dec 12;18(1):646. doi: 10.1186/s12879-018-3545-3.

Abstract

Introduction: Mycobacterium mucogenicum is a rare but emerging cause of infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Case presentation: We describe a new case of M. mucogenicum catheter-related bloodstream infection in a 34-year-old woman with ovarian cancer. M. mucogenicum was at first considered as a contaminant, and susceptibility testing was not performed. Usual susceptibility of M. mucogenicum motivated prescription of clarithromycin and moxifloxacin. Finally, our isolate was confirmed susceptible to both drugs. Clinical outcome was favorable with no relapse of infection after antibiotics discontinuation despite concomitant chemotherapy.

Conclusion: Our case illustrates the need for a clinician-microbiologist dialogue in case of suspected M. mucogenicum infection to avoid delaying appropriate management.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Catheter-related infection; Mycobacterium mucogenicum; Rapidly growing mycobacteria.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteremia / complications
  • Bacteremia / diagnosis*
  • Bacteremia / drug therapy
  • Bacteremia / microbiology
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / complications
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial / microbiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / complications
  • Catheter-Related Infections / diagnosis*
  • Catheter-Related Infections / drug therapy
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques* / standards
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium Infections / complications
  • Mycobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / drug effects
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / microbiology
  • Professional Role*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents