Detection of Mycobacterium leprae by PCR testing of sputa from a patient with pulmonary cryptococcus coinfection in northern Australia

J Clin Microbiol. 2014 Oct;52(10):3811-2. doi: 10.1128/JCM.01060-14. Epub 2014 Jul 23.

Abstract

A case of fever, sepsis, and chest lesions evident on a computed tomography scan of an indigenous man in northern Australia following burns to the feet is described. Sputum PCR testing revealed Mycobacterium leprae, and a fine-needle aspirate of the chest lesions demonstrated Cryptococcus coinfection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Burns / complications
  • Coinfection / diagnosis*
  • Cryptococcosis / complications*
  • Cryptococcus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Leprosy / complications*
  • Lung / microbiology*
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases, Fungal / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium leprae / genetics
  • Mycobacterium leprae / isolation & purification*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Population Groups
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Sputum / microbiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed