ABSTRACT

Infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria is rarely recognized, with an increased prevalence, cause of clinical suspicion in diseases such as cystic fibrosis and immunocompromised patients. We present a 61 years old female patient, with irrelevant personal history, who presented with purulent cough, predominantly in the morning, asthenia, weight loss and dyspnea of two years of onset. In chest radiograph can evidence a cavity and infiltrated in lingula. Computed tomography was performed where cavitation damage is observed in the left lower lobe of approximately 3 cm. Multiple bilateral bronchiectasis with peribronchial soft tissue, mainly in lingual and left posterior basal right upper lobe. Small opacities in the periphery with morphology of «tree in bud». Apical bilateral pleural thickening. Bronchoscopy was performed: in the left bronchial tree size was decreased in the top division, covered with purulent secretions. In the bronchoalveolar lavage was isolated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex. The lack of suspicion of atypical mycobacteria in patients without predisposing factors could delayed diagnosis, resulting in the patient’s clinical deterioration.

KEYWORDS

Nontuberculous mycobacterial, bronchiectasis, Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex.

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