Lung infection by Mycobacterium szulgai

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium szulgai is an uncommon atypical mycobacterium human pathogen. CASE REPORT: The clinical manifestations and radiographic findings in a 31-year-old woman were strongly suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. The mode of transmission could not be determined. Mycobacterium szulgai was identified. The patient was treated with antituberculosis antibiotics and the clinical course was favorable. DISCUSSION: Mycobacterium szulgai is an atypical mycobacterrium difficult to identify. Its epidemiological features are unknown. This potential pulmonary pathogen is rarely described in the literature. Most cases have involved pulmonary, bone and joint or skin infections in immunodepressed patients. M. szulgai is relatively susceptible to classic antituberculosis antibiotics although standard regimens have not been established. Our patient required intensive care for mechanical ventilation.