Pathologic features of Mycobacterium kansasii infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract

Abstract Context.—Mycobacterium kansasii is a slow-growing photochromogenic mycobacterium that may infect patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) late in the course of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The clinical features of pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections have been described in the literature; however, the pathology of infection has not been adequately addressed. Objective.—This report describes the pathologic features of 12 cases of M kansasii infection in patients with AIDS. Design.—The medical records, autopsy protocols, cytologic material, and histologic material from patients with AIDS and concomitant M kansasii infection at a tertiary-care medical center during 1990–2001 were reviewed. Results.—Twelve cases were identified, 6 by autopsy, 5 of which were diagnosed postmortem. Four of the 12 cases had cytologic material and 4 cases had histologic biopsies available for review. Pulmonary infection was most common (9/12), and all patients in whom thoracic lymph nodes were as...