Mycobacterium ulcerans lung infection in an immunocompetent patient

Shadi Chamseddine; Joya-Rita Hindy; Sara F Haddad; Souha S Kanj

doi:10.1136/bcr-2022-250547

Mycobacterium ulcerans lung infection in an immunocompetent patient

BMJ Case Rep. 2022 Aug 9;15(8):e250547. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-250547.

Authors

Shadi Chamseddine¹, Joya-Rita Hindy¹, Sara F Haddad², Souha S Kanj¹

Affiliations

¹ American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
² Infectious Diseases, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

Abstract

Mycobacterium ulcerans has been implicated in cutaneous manifestations in humans, causing persistent wounds called Buruli ulcer. However, it has not been associated with pulmonary infections in humans to date. Herein, we report a case of an immunocompetent adult man with no underlying medical problems presenting with dyspnoea and generalised malaise and diagnosed with M. ulcerans lung infection. The patient was prescribed clarithromycin 500 mg two times per day, rifampin 300 mg two tablets daily and moxifloxacin 400 mg daily for 6 months, with complete resolution of his symptoms.

Keywords: Infectious diseases; TB and other respiratory infections.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Buruli Ulcer* / diagnosis
Buruli Ulcer* / drug therapy
Buruli Ulcer* / microbiology
Clarithromycin / therapeutic use
Humans
Lung
Male
Mycobacterium ulcerans*
Rifampin / therapeutic use

Substances

Clarithromycin
Rifampin