Mycobacterium intermedium : A rare form of nontubercular Mycobacteria

Abstract

Nontubercular mycobacteria (NTM) are widely distributed in the environment. Though Mycobacterium aviumintracellulare complex (MAC) is the most common NTM species causing disease in humans, new species of NTM are being isolated due to improved methods of detection and increased physician awareness. One of these rare form of NTM is Mycobacterium intermedium. Although the disease was irst reported in 1993, there are only very few cases have been reported so far. Here we are presenting a case of 40-year-old nonsmoker, nondiabetic, non-immunosuppressed person who initially sought medical attention for high grade fever, cough with mucoid expectoration, and breathlessness for 2 weeks and later diagnosed to be a case of M. intermedium.