Prolonged incubation of blood and bone marrow cultures in 12B bottles processed on the BACTEC 460 TB system does not increase microbial recovery

Disseminated mycobacterium genavense infection with central nervous system involvement in an HIV patient: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Immunodeficient patients, particularly HIV patients, are at risk of opportunistic infections. Nontuberculous mycobacteria can cause severe complications in immunodeficient patients.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe a 57-year-old HIV patient, primarily presented with coughs and constitutional symptoms, with a unique Mycobacterium genavense abdominal, pulmonary, and central nervous system infection, accompanied by intracranial masses.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of NTM, including M. genavense, must always be considered by clinicians in immunodeficient patients, especially those with HIV, who have a compromised immune system.

Comparison of BACTEC 12B vs solid media for the recovery of Mycobacterium avium complex from blood cultures in AIDS patients

We compared liquid (BACTEC 12B) and solid culture media for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium avian complex (MAC) bacteremia among 258 AIDS patients with a positive blood culture. Neither culture media alone had adequate sensitivity; BACTEC 12B detected growth earlier. Use of both liquid and solid media may improve the yield of mycobacterial blood culture.