Invasive infection withMycobacterium genavense in three children with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Abstract

Three children with human immunodeficiency virus infection and invasive infection with Mycobacterium genavense are reported. Fever spikes, abdominal cramps and distension, diarrhea or ileus, and anemia were the predominant symptoms in the severely immunodeficient patients (CD4 lymphocytes < 0.04 x 10(9)/l). Numerous acid-fast bacilli were readily detectable by microscopy in stool samples and in lymph node biopsies, but cultures for mycobacteria remained negative. Mycobacterium genavense should be sought when invasive non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis is suspected and mycobacterial cultures from blood or other sites show limited growth. Multiple-drug regimens including amikacin, ethambutol, rifampin, and clarithromycin may be of benefit in controlling the infection, as observed in two patients.

Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense Infection in Two Patients with AIDS

“…In the recent series of cases reported by Wald et al [3], four of seven patients with M. genavense infection had splenic involvement; two patients had splenomegaly, one patient's spleen ruptured during splenectomy, and examination ofautopsy-obtained specimens of the third patient's spleen revealed AFB. Four of 18 patients with disseminated M. genavense infection whose cases were reported by Bottger et al [2] had splenomegaly, as did two of three children whose cases were recently reported by Nadal et al [14]. Thus, we believe that splenic enlargement and splenic abscesses are commonly associated with M. genavense infection.…”

Mycobacterium genavenseand avian polyomavirus co-infection in a European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

“…Of the two agents, M. genavense is possibly the most significant as it appeared to be responsible for the most advanced lesions in the goldfinch and also has zoonotic potential (Nadal et al, 1993;Bottger, 1994). Molecular genetic analyses were essential for the definitive identification of M. genavense and finch polyomavirus, and wider use of these techniques is likely to be necessary to accurately detect infections with these agents in passerine species.…”

Epidemiology and Clinical Significance of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Patients Negative for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Switzerland

“…For this previously unknown species they proposed the name M. genavense [143]. Additionally, Nadal et al [144] reported three cases in pediatric patients with AIDS.…”