We report the cases of 3 patients with fatal, disseminated Mycobacterium chimaera infections following cardiac surgeries. Progressive neurocognitive decline and death were explained by active granulomatous encephalitis, with widespread involvement of other organs. This syndrome is clinically elusive and, thus, may have caused deaths in prior reported series.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciz497DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

mycobacterium chimaera
8
chimaera encephalitis
4
encephalitis cardiac
4
cardiac surgery
4
surgery syndrome
4
syndrome report
4
report cases
4
cases patients
4
patients fatal
4
fatal disseminated
4

Similar Publications

Accurate identification of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) species is crucial for the diagnosis and appropriate management of NTM infections. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of two assays, FluoroType Mycobacteria VER 1.0 and Maldi BioTyper (MBT) Mycobacteria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study monitored 29 Maquet heater-cooler units (HCUs) over a 63-month period to track the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in response to the replacement of LivaNova devices due to contamination concerns.
  • Results showed a significant increase in NTM positivity, particularly after three years, with 100% of HCU40 and 62% of HU35 devices colonized, primarily by Mycobacterium gordonae.
  • The findings indicate that current disinfection methods using chloramine-T are insufficient, highlighting the need for improved device safety designs and new disinfection protocols.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A 54-year-old woman with a chronic blood disorder was hospitalized due to swollen lymph nodes and was initially treated for potential lymphoma and other infections without success.
  • A biopsy revealed signs of granulomatous lymphadenitis resembling tuberculosis, prompting anti-TB treatment despite no isolation of the pathogen.
  • After 9 months with no improvement, subsequent tests identified a non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection, leading to effective treatment and resolution of symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

(MC), a member of the complex, can cause infections in patients after open-heart surgery due to contaminated heater-cooler units (HCUs). The transmission route of HCU-related MC infection is non-inhalational, and infection can occur in patients without previously known immune deficiency. Patients may develop endocarditis of the prosthetic valve, infection of the vascular graft, and/or manifestations of disseminated mycobacterial infection (splenomegaly, arthritis, hepatitis, nephritis, myocarditis, etc.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: a case report from Italy.

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis

September 2024

Department of Medicine and Surgery, Respiratory Diseases, University of Insubria, Varese, Como; Respiratory Rehabilitation Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, IRCCS, Pavia.

Article Synopsis
  • - Mycobacterium chimaera is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium within the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and is linked to infections after cardiac surgery due to heater-cooler units.
  • - Although it is considered less virulent than other MAC species like M. avium and M. intracellulare, M. chimaera has been reported to cause lung infections, especially in patients with chronic conditions.
  • - The text presents a specific case from Italy involving a patient with newly diagnosed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who contracted an infection from M. chimaera.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!