[Mycobacterium kansasii infection in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), report of two cases].

Mycobacterium kansasii infection leads to significant morbidity both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. 7 subtypes of M. Kansasii were identified so far. Subtypes 1 and 2 are known to be pathogenic to humans, subtypes 3-7 are commonly isolated from the environment and rarely cause disease. In the present study we report on two cases of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) complicated by M. kansasii infection. Disease was recognized according to ATS criteria. Resolution of lesions was observed in both patients in the course of antituberculous treatment. These are to our knowledge the first recognized cases of M. Kansasii infection in CTEPH. Chronic hypoxemia with impaired lung metabolism could be responsible for susceptibility to infection with nonpathogenic subtype 4 of M. Kansasii.