Acute respiratory failure involving an R variant of Mycobacterium abscessus

J Clin Microbiol. 2009 Jan;47(1):271-4. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01478-08. Epub 2008 Nov 19.

Abstract

We report the case of a cystic fibrosis patient colonized with a smooth-morphotype form of Mycobacterium abscessus who developed acute respiratory failure with the emergence of an isogenic rough (R) variant while he was recovering from peritonitis-induced shock. This report emphasizes the role of R forms in severe M. abscessus infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium / classification
  • Mycobacterium / genetics
  • Mycobacterium / isolation & purification*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Mycobacterium Infections / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium Infections / microbiology
  • Peritonitis / complications*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial