Mycobacterium avium intracellularae complex associated extrapulmonary axillary lymphadenitis in a HIV-seropositive infant - A rare case report

Abstract

Opportunistic infections by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare complex in HIV infected patients, though common in adults, are rarely seen in infants. We herewith report an interesting case of an eight month old infant presenting with isolated axillary lymphadenitis, later on diagnosed to be tubercular lymphadenitis by Mycobacterium avium intracellulare and finally proved to be seropositive for HIV infection born to previously undetected HIV seropositive parents.

A case of axillary lymphadenitis caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare in an immunocompetent patient

“…Axillary lymphadenitis caused by M. avium complex is rare, and has been reported in immunocompromised hosts [8,9]. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first describing axillary lymphadenitis caused by M. intracellulare in an immunocompetent host.…”

“…Reports describing cases of axillary lymphadenitis caused by NTM are limited, and the cause may be related to trauma, especially tenosynovitis [13], or HIV infection [8]. There is also one report of an 8-month-old infant with axillary lymphadenitis caused by MAC [9], but notably, that infant was HIV-positive. The detailed mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of lymphadenitis caused by NTM in non-immunocompromised patients are unknown.…”