Lumbar infection caused by Mycobacterium paragordonae: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium paragordonae ( M. paragordonae ), a slow-growing, acid-resistant mycobacterial species, was first isolated from the sputum of a lung infection patient in South Korea in 2014. Infections caused by M. paragordonae are rare. CASE SUMMARY Herein, we report the case of a 53-year-old patient who presented with fever and low back pain. Lumbar nuclear magnetic resonance imaging revealed the destruction of the lumbar vertebra with peripheral abscess formation. After anti-infective and diagnostic anti-tuberculosis treatment, the patient had no further fever, but the back pain was not relieved. Postoperatively, the necrotic material was sent for pathological examination, and all tests related to tuberculosis were negative, but pus culture suggested nontuberculous mycobacteria. The necrotic tissue specimens were subjected to metagenomic next-generation sequencing, which indicated the presence of M. paragordonae . Finally, the infecting pathogen was identified, and the treatment plan was adjusted. The patient was in good condition during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION M. paragordonae , a rare nontuberculous mycobacterium, can also cause spinal infections. In the clinic, it is necessary to identify nontuberculous mycobacteria for spinal infections similar to Mycobacterium tuberculosis .

A Case of Pericarditis and Pericardial Masses Associated With Mycobacterium Paragordonae

“…Mycobacterium paragordonae is an emerging pathogen that has been associated with pulmonary disease, vertebral infection and peritonitis. 3 - 5 It is highly phylogenetically related to the non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) M. gordonae and has been identified as a contaminant in hospital water supplies. 3 , 6 , 7 Tuberculosis is a common cause of pericarditis in lower middle income countries and has been shown to be associated with pericardial masses 8 - 10 but NTM only rarely cause cardiac disease.…”