Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum bacteremia in immunocompromised hosts.

Abstract

Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum are infrequent causes of bacteremia in humans. When they are isolated from blood, it is not unusual for them to initially be considered contaminants. A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with M. mucogenicum and M. neoaurum bacteremia from January 1998 to December 2018 was conducted at the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We identified 28 patients who had bacteremia caused by these organisms. These patients were primarily immunocompromised, had chronically indwelling vascular access devices, or used intravenous drugs. For 29% of the patients, the isolation of these mycobacteria was considered colonization, whereas 82% of the patients received antimicrobial therapy and 95% had the central line removed. The removal of the vascular access device and treatment with either single or combination antimicrobial therapy produced successful outcomes for people with these infections.