Clinical characteristics of pulmonary Mycobacterium scrofulaceum disease in 2001–2011: a case series and literature review

• Published in: Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy Vol. 22; no. 9; pp. 611 - 616
• Main Authors: Suzuki, Shoji, Morino, Eriko, Ishii, Makoto, M.D, Namkoong, Ho, Yagi, Kazuma, Asakura, Takanori, Asami, Takahiro, Fujiwara, Hiroshi, Uwamino, Yoshifumi, Nishimura, Tomoyasu, Tasaka, Sadatomo, Betsuyaku, Tomoko, Takasaki, Jin, Iwata, Satoshi, Hasegawa, Naoki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use; Case series; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine; Humans; Literature review; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium Infections - complications; Mycobacterium Infections - drug therapy; Mycobacterium scrofulaceum; Nontuberculous mycobacteria; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - complications; Pulmonary Mycobacterial scrofulaceum disease; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Pulmonary Mycobacterial scrofulaceum disease; nontuberculous mycobacteria; literature review; case series; Literature review; Case series; Nontuberculous mycobacteria
• ISSN: 1341-321X; 1437-7780
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiac.2016.06.006

Abstract Background Mycobacterium scrofulaceum is a well-known pathogen associated with cervical lymphadenitis in children. However, pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease is a rare condition with unknown clinical features. The present study aimed to clarify the clinical features of pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease described in recent cases and reports. Methods We reviewed the medical records of all adult patients with pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease at Keio University Hospital and the National Center for Global Health and Medicine Center Hospital between 2001 and 2011. We also conducted a review of the PubMed database to identify additional cases of pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease in adults. Results Our study identified 8 cases of pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease at the 2 identified institutions during our study period. Most cases were diagnosed in middle-aged and elderly men with underlying pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and M. avium complex lung disease, as well as those with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. In contrast, most previously reported cases identified through our literature review had a history of dust inhalation or underlying silicosis. Three of 8 cases at our institutions and 20 of 23 cases from the literature were treated with combination therapies. Conclusions We conclude that in the recent histories of our institutions, pulmonary M. scrofulaceum disease has mainly occurred in patients with chronic pulmonary diseases. We further conclude that combination therapies that include clarithromycin might yield better patient outcomes.