Pneumonia caused by Mycobacterium smegmatis in a patient with a previous gastrectomy

Abstract

Mycobacterium smegmatis pneumonia is rare, with only five cases reported in literature. The authors report a case in an adult male with a history that includes total gastrectomy. A transbronchial biopsy revealed non-caseating granuloma. Broncho-alveolar lavage culture identified M smegmatis. This case meets all 2007 American Thoracic Society criteria for the diagnosis of atypical mycobacterial pneumonia. The patient responded to a long course of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and ciprofl oxacin. Copyright 2011 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.