Mycobacterial infection is sometimes fatal in patients with acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS). Mycobacterium genavense, a rare pathogen identified in 1992, causes about 10 % of disseminated nontuberculous
mycobacterial infections in patients with AIDS and mainly involves the small intestine
[1]
[2]
[3]. The endoscopic findings of intestinal M. genavense infection are known to be nodules with a velvety appearance that is similar to that
seen with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (M. avium complex [MAC]) [4].
A 23-year-old homosexual man with known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
and a past history of hepatitis B and syphilis infections was referred to our hospital.
Laboratory tests revealed his HIV RNA level to be 1.6 × 105 copies/mL and his CD4 count to be 11 cells/μL. He was admitted 2 months later with
intermittent fever, general fatigue, and dry cough. A computed tomography (CT) scan
of his chest showed a ground-glass appearance, suggestive of pulmonary infection.
A routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy performed 2 days after admission revealed widespread
yellowish white nodules like xanthelasma in the second portion of the duodenum ([Fig. 1]). Pathological examination of the biopsy specimen showed an accumulation of macrophages
in the lamina propria and submucosal layer ([Fig. 2]). Ziehl–Neelsen staining demonstrated numerous acid-fast bacteria being phagocytosed
by macrophages ([Fig. 3]).
Fig. 1 Endoscopic view in the second portion of the duodenum in a 23-year-old man with known
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection showing widespread yellowish white nodules
like xanthelasma.
Fig. 2 Pathological appearance after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the duodenal
biopsy specimen showing an accumulation of macrophages in the lamina propria and submucosal
layer: a in a low-power field; b in a high-power field.
Fig. 3 Pathological appearance after Ziehl–Neelsen staining of the duodenal biopsy specimen
showing numerous acid-fast bacteria being phagocytosed by the macrophages: a in a low-power field; b in a high-power field.
Cultures of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood also detected acid-fast bacteria,
which were finally identified as M. genavense by DNA amplification techniques. On the basis of these results, the patient was diagnosed
as having disseminated M. genavense infection. Despite treatment with azithromycin, ethambutol, and levofloxacin, he
died of respiratory failure.
Endoscopy_UCTN_Code_CCL_1AB_2AZ_3AZ
