Pericardial effusion with Mycobacterium avium complex in HIV-infected patients

• Published in: BMJ case reports Vol. 2016; p. bcr2016215686
• Main Authors: Mohamed Buhary, Thajunnisha, Gayed, Sedki Latif, Hafeez, Irfan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 07.07.2016; BMJ Publishing Group
• Series: Case Report
• Subjects: Abdomen; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - complications; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Cellular biology; Drugs; Fluids; HIV; HIV Infections - complications; HIV Infections - drug therapy; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Infections; Male; Mycobacterium avium Complex; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection - complications; Pericardial Effusion - complications; Pneumonia; Rare Disease; Tuberculosis; United Kingdom; White
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2016-215686
• ISSN: 1757-790X

Disseminated atypical Mycobacterium infection is a well-known opportunistic infection in HIV-infected patients with advanced immune deficiency before the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy. Although the disseminated infection is now rare, few cases of localised infections are reported. A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with HIV infection during asymptomatic sexual health screening. Although he was asymptomatic on diagnosis, he had advanced immunodeficiency; therefore, combination antiretroviral therapy was started immediately. After 5 months of treatment, he developed pericardial effusion. Mycobacterium was detected from a culture of the pericardial fluid and Mycobacterium avium complex was identified using a gene probe test. He was treated with combination therapy for Mycobacterium infection and he fully recovered. Treatment continued for 4 years until he achieved adequate immune recovery.