Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection in an Immunocompetent Young Adult Related to Hot Tub Exposure

• Published in: Chest Vol. 111; no. 1; pp. 242 - 245
• Main Authors: Kahana, Leo M., Kay, J. Michael, Yakrus, Mitchell A., Waserman, Susan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Northbrook, IL Elsevier Inc 01.01.1997; American College of Chest Physicians
• Subjects: Adult; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the respiratory system; Baths; Biological and medical sciences; drug susceptibility; Female; Granuloma - pathology; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Immunocompetence; Infectious diseases; Lung - pathology; Medical sciences; Mycobacterium avium complex infection; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection - diagnosis; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection - drug therapy; Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection - etiology; restriction fragment length polymorphism; restriction fragment length polymorphism; Mycobacterium avium complex infection; drug susceptibility; Human; Pneumonia; Respiratory disease; Lung; Mycobacterium avium; Mycobacterial infection; Infection; Case study; Mycobacteriales; Bacteriosis; Mycobacteriaceae; Bacteria; Actinomycetes
• ISSN: 0012-3692; 1931-3543
• DOI: 10.1378/chest.111.1.242

An unusual case of Mycobacterium avium complex infection occurred in a young adult with no preexisting disease and no evidence of immunodeficiency. There was diffuse interstitial involvement of the lungs which suggested an active alveolitis. Diagnosis required open-lung biopsy. Restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis indicated that the source of the infection was a hot tub. The infection proved to be exceptionally responsive to treatment, and there was complete resolution with a four-drug regimen.