Coexistence of nontuberculous mycobacterium and IgG4-related disease in a solitary pulmonary nodule: A case report

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 Nov;98(48):e18179. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000018179.

Abstract

Rationale: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is regarded as an immune-mediated systemic fibroinflammatory disease. Several studies have linked IgG4-RD to infections such as tuberculosis and actinomycosis. However, the coexistence of IgG4-RD and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) in a single pulmonary nodule has not been reported yet.

Patient concerns: A 76-year-old male patient presented with cough and sputum. A solitary pulmonary nodule suspicious of lung cancer was found on chest CT.

Diagnosis: Through video-assisted thoracoscopic biopsy, a diagnosis of co-existing NTM and IgG4-RD in a single nodule was made.

Interventions: Antibiotic treatment was applied for pneumonia developed after surgery. The patient was also supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and mechanical ventilation since his pneumonia was refractory to medical treatment.

Outcomes: The patient expired on the 60th postoperative day due to multiple organ failure.

Lessons: IgG4-RD can occur singularly or accompanied by other diseases. We report a solitary pulmonary nodule caused by NTM and concurrent IgG4-RD, suggesting a possible association between these 2 entities. Immunologic relations between IgG4-RD and accompanying infection should be further investigated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Biopsy / methods
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation / methods
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease* / complications
  • Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease* / diagnosis
  • Immunoglobulin G4-Related Disease* / physiopathology
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung / pathology
  • Male
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / complications
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / pathology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / therapy
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Pneumonia* / drug therapy
  • Pneumonia* / etiology
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* / complications
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* / microbiology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* / pathology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* / surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / methods*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents