A case of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection

Abstract

A 41-year-old male who was suffering from pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) is herein described. His chest radiographic findings showed a cavity lesion with a granular shadow in the right upper lung field. Acid-fast bacilli were noted in sputum specimens, and a M. abscessus was identified in a culture analysis. He was treated with IPM/CS, AMK, and CAM, and thereafter a right upper lobectomy was also performed. At twenty-four months postoperatively, no recurrence has been demonstrated. M. abscessus is a rare pathogen in Japan. We recommend that the M. abscessus should be treated as early as possible in order to avoid the occurrence of extensive lung damage.