Lymphadenitis cervicalis due to Mycobacterium interjectum in immunocompetent children

Disseminated Mycobacterium interjectum Infection with Bacteremia, Hepatic and Pulmonary Involvement Associated with a Long-Term Catheter Infection

We present a 49-year-old female with one year of intermittent fevers, chills, night sweats, and significant weight loss. Liver and lung biopsy showed evidence of a granulomatous process. Blood and liver biopsy cultures yielded growth of presumed Mycobacterium interjectum, thought to be related to a disseminated long-term central venous catheter infection. She successfully received one year of combined antimicrobial therapy after catheter removal without recurrence of disease. M. interjectum has been previously described as a cause of lymphadenitis in healthy children and associated with pulmonary disease in adults, although other localized infections have been reported. This is the first case described of a disseminated M. interjectum infection with bacteremia, hepatic and pulmonary involvement associated with a long-term catheter infection.

Mycobacterium interjectum Lung Infection

A 62-year-old male presented with productive cough, weight loss, and night sweats. CXR revealed a right upper lobe cavitary lesion. Evaluation was negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and sputum revealed Mycobacterium avium intracellulare (MAI). Since his clinical course was atypical for MAI, further investigations were pursued which identified Mycobacterium interjectum in lung specimens, a very rarely described etiology of pulmonary disease. Appropriate therapy with rifampin, intravenous amikacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and ethambutol resulted in clinical and radiographic improvement. This is the third case described over a period of 20 years of destructive lung disease in an immunocompetent adult due to M. interjectum.

Submandibular lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium interjectum: contribution of new diagnostic tools

Mycobacterium interjectum is a rare causative agent of cervical lymphadenitis. We describe a 2-year-old girl with suspected tuberculous cervical lymphadenitis.Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene allowed the correct identification of Mycobacterium interjectum. As yet, only nine case reports of infections due to M. interjectum in children have been reported in the literature, and in all of them a correct identification could only be obtained using gene sequencing.

New and emerging infectious diseases

New and emerging diseases present a constant challenge. Globalization of business, international adoption, immigration, and tourism have contributed to the rapid spread of diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Infectious diseases that emerge in Africa or Asia may arrive on US shores within days. This article reviews the new and emerging pathogens important to dermatologists.