Mycobacterium genavense infection in a solid organ recipient: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Transpl Infect Dis. 2016 Feb;18(1):125-31. doi: 10.1111/tid.12493. Epub 2016 Feb 3.

Abstract

Renal transplant recipients are highly susceptible to infections caused by uncommon pathogens because of their immunocompromised state. We report a case of disseminated Mycobacterium genavense infection in a patient with a combined renal and cardiac transplant. Diagnosing M. genavense infections remains a challenge because of the absence of specific clinical symptoms in combination with the difficulties of culturing the organism using standard mycobacterial culture procedures. This clinical case demonstrates the importance of molecular techniques as part of the initial work-up in order to rapidly establish the diagnosis.

Keywords: Mycobacterium genavense; outcome; renal transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / genetics
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification*