Rapidly Growing Mycobacterium Infections in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background Rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM) is a group of ubiquitous organisms mostly found in soil and water. In the immunocompromised population, they are considered to be opportunistic and cause systemic illness, which leads to higher mortality. Methods Our study entailed a retrospective chart review conducted at the Moffitt Cancer Center. The computerized epidemiology report provided by the microbiology laboratory identified patients who had been diagnosed with an RGM infection from January 1990 to October 2008. Results Of the 45 patients included, 24 were women and 21 were men. The median age of these patients was 58 years. Twenty-one (46.7%) of the 45 patients had a hematologic malignancy consisting of multiple myeloma, acute and chronic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and lymphoma. We collected data from 10 patients (22.2%) who had breast cancer and five (11.1%) with lung cancer. Eight of the patients (17.8%) had other forms of malignancy consisting of ovarian, thyroid, skin, sinuses, scalp, and gastrointestinal malignancies. Of the 45 cases analyzed, 4 species of RGM were identified including 26 cases (57.8%) of Mycobacterium abscessus, 13 (28.9%) with Mycobacterium fortuitum, two (4.4%) with Mycobacterium chelonae, and two (4.4%) with Mycobacterium mucogenicum. Two patients (4.4%) were diagnosed with Mycobacterium abscessus/chelonae complex. Conclusions Our study demonstrates the diversity of malignancies associated with RGM infections. We add 45 more documented cases to the current collection of data correlating malignancies and RGM infections. Future research regarding treatment options for RGM infections is much needed due to high levels of resistance and limited treatment options.