Pulmonary mycobacterium abscessus in an AIDS patient

Mycobacterium abscessus is an unusual pathogen in HIV/AIDS patients. We report a case of M abscessus with review of the literature, which revealed 1 confirmed case in an HIV/AIDS patient. Preliminary diagnosis was presumed to be pulmonary tuberculosis secondary to positive acid-fast bacilli in sputum stain. After initial treatment failure, sputum stains were repeated, and the species was identified; therefore the antibiotic regimen was tailored for M abscessus. Early recognition and treatment of nontuberculous mycobacteria is vital in the reduction of complications and mortality in HIV/AIDS patients. M abscessus is a highly virulent and should be considered as a potential offending pathogen on differential diagnosis in an immunocompromised host.