Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Mycobacterium fortuitum Pulmonary Disease

• Published in: Microbiology spectrum 2023-08, Vol.11 (4), p.e0205123-e0205123
• Main Authors: Kim, Sae Rom, Yu, Jin Young, Kim, Su-Young, Kim, Dae Hun, Jhun, Byung Woo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial Chemotherapy; Mycobacterium fortuitum; Observation; outcome; treatment
• ISSN: 2165-0497; 2165-0497
• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02051-23

We evaluated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of 35 patients diagnosed with Mycobacterium fortuitum-pulmonary disease (M. fortuitum-PD). Prior to treatment, all isolates were sensitive to amikacin and 73% and 90% were sensitive to imipenem and moxifloxacin, respectively. Approximately two-thirds of the patients (24 of 35) remained stable without antibiotic treatment. Of 11 patients requiring antibiotic treatment, the majority (81%, 9 of 11) achieved a microbiological cure with susceptible antibiotics. Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum) is a rapidly growing mycobacterium that causes M. fortuitum-pulmonary disease (PD). It is common among individuals with preexisting lung conditions. Limited data exist regarding treatment and prognosis. Our study examined patients with M. fortuitum-PD. Two-thirds of them remained stable without antibiotics. Among those requiring treatment, 81% achieved a microbiological cure with suitable antibiotics. In many cases, M. fortuitum-PD follows a stable course without antibiotics, and when necessary, a favorable treatment response can be achieved with the appropriate antibiotics.