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Sidhu AK, Khandelwal S, Dominic Savio FV, Bedi S, Pathak YD. Mucosal infection with Tsukamurella species following nasal septum procedure: a rare case report. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:6246-6250. [PMID: 39359796 PMCID: PMC11444533 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000002515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction and importance Tsukamurella species are rare, aerobic, gram-positive bacteria known to cause infections, primarily in immunocompromised individuals. This case report presents a rare instance of a mucosal infection caused by Tsukamurella species following a nasal septum procedure in an immunocompetent patient. Case presentation A 51-year-old man with a history of multiple hereditary exostosis, allergic rhinitis, and recent nasal fracture repair presented with persistent fevers and low back pain. Postoperatively, he developed sinus pain and small oral lesions, initially treated with antibiotics for presumed sinusitis. Despite treatment, his fever persisted, leading to an emergency department visit. Laboratory tests indicated sepsis, but a CT scan of the sinuses showed no sinusitis. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, the patient's fever continued. On admission day 9, nasal endoscopy and culture identified Tsukamurella species. The patient was treated with augmentin, fluconazole, and levofloxacin, leading to the resolution of symptoms and discharge with ongoing treatment. Clinical discussion Tsukamurella species are uncommon pathogens that are often associated with bacteremia in immunocompromised individuals. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges and the importance of considering unusual pathogens in postprocedural infections, even in immunocompetent patients. Accurate identification and appropriate management are critical in improving outcomes for patients with Tsukamurella infections. Conclusion This case underscores the need for vigilance in diagnosing rare infections like Tsukamurella, even in immunocompetent individuals. The successful resolution with combination therapy highlights the importance of appropriate antibiotic selection in managing such infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francis V. Dominic Savio
- Tianjin Medical University School of Basic Medical Sciences, Heping District, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China
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Yu S, Ding X, Hua K, Zhu H, Zhang Q, Song X, Xie X, Huang R, Xu Y, Zhang L, Yi Q, Zhao Y. Systematic investigation of the emerging pathogen of Tsukamurella species in a Chinese tertiary teaching hospital. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0164423. [PMID: 37874148 PMCID: PMC10715089 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01644-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Tsukamurella species have been clinically regarded as rare but emerging opportunistic pathogens causing various infections in humans. Tsukamurella pneumonia has often been misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis due to its clinical presentation resembling tuberculosis-like syndromes. Tsukamurella species have also been confused in the laboratory with other phylogenetic bacteria, such as Gordonia. This study aimed to investigate the clinical, microbiological, and molecular characteristics; species distribution; and antimicrobial susceptibility of Tsukamurella species. Immunodeficiency and chronic pulmonary disease appeared to be risk factors for Tsukamurella pneumonia, and the presence of bronchiectasis and pulmonary nodules on imaging was highly correlated with this infection. The study confirmed that groEL (heat shock protein 60) and secA (the secretion ATPase) genes are reliable for identifying Tsukamurella species. Additionally, the ssrA (stable small RNA) gene showed promise as a tool for discriminating between different Tsukamurella species with the shortest sequence length. In terms of antimicrobial susceptibility, quinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, amikacin, minocycline, linezolid, and tigecycline demonstrated potent in vitro activity against Tsukamurella isolates in our study. The study also proposed a resistance mechanism involving a substitution (S91R) within the quinolone-resistance-determining region of the gyrA gene, which confers resistance to levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Furthermore, we found that disk diffusion testing is not suitable for testing the susceptibilities of Tsukamurella isolates to ciprofloxacin, imipenem, and minocycline. In conclusion, our systematic investigation may contribute to a better understanding of this rare pathogen. Tsukamurella species are rare but emerging human pathogens that share remarkable similarities with other mycolic acid-containing genera of the order Actinomycetales, especially Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Consequently, misdiagnosis and therapeutic failures can occur in clinical settings. Despite the significance of accurate identification, antimicrobial susceptibility, and understanding the resistance mechanism of this important genus, our knowledge in these areas remains fragmentary and incomplete. In this study, we aimed to address these gaps by investigating promising identification methods, the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and a novel quinolone resistance mechanism in Tsukamurella species, utilizing a collection of clinical isolates. The findings of our study will contribute to improve diagnosis and successful management of infections caused by Tsukamurella species, as well as establishing well-defined performance and interpretive criteria for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqi Ding
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Kexin Hua
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Huiqing Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qingshui Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Zhangjiajie People’s Hospital, Zhangjiajie, China
| | - Xinuo Song
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuli Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Department of Respiratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaolian Yi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Complex, Severe, and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Mechanisms Research and Precision Diagnosis of Invasive Fungal Diseases, Beijing, China
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