Successful management of Mycobacterium abscessus pneumonia in a 53-day-old immunocompetent infant

Abstract

Pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) usually occurs in children with underlying risk factors including cystic fibrosis (CF), chronic lung disease, and immunocompromised status, but rarely in immunocompetent children without underlying lung disease, especially in infants. We present a case of MABC pulmonary disease (MABC-PD) in an otherwise healthy 53-day-old male infant with one week of cough and respiratory distress. Computed tomography showed multiple masses across both lungs. Isolated mycobacteria from his bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were identified as MABC. We describe our complete evaluation, including immunodeficiency evaluation incorporating whole exome sequencing and our therapeutic process given complicated susceptibility pattern of the M. abscessus isolate, and review literature for MABC-PD in immunocompetent children. The infant was successfully treated through prolonged treatment with parenteral Amikacin, Cefoxitin, Linezolid, and Clarithromycin, combined with inhaled Amikacin.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus; children; nontuberculous mycobacteria.