A Case of Pulmonaly Bulla Infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum

Abstract

We report a case of bulla infection caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum. The patient was a 66 yearoldfemale associated with interstitial pneumonitis. The chest X-ray film showed cavities with thickwalls and niveau formation, which initially suggested pulmonary abscesses. The chest CT scanshowed infiltrative shadows surrounding multiple bullae. Smears and cultures of the sputum wererepeatedly positive for mycobacteria, which was identified to be M. fortuitum. By chemotherapy withimipenem cilastatin sodium, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, and minocycline on the basis of susceptibilitytest, sputum converted to negative within 2 months, abnormal shadows on the roentgenogramand laboratory data showed improvement. There are no signs of recurrence after completion of the treatment for 12 months.