Mycobacterium fortuitum Bacteraemia in a Immunocompromised Patient of Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of Breast and Long Term Venous Access Device

Abstract

Mycobacterium fortuitum is rapidly growing mycobacteria ubiquitous in nature. We report a case of Mycobacterium fortuitum bacteraemia in a immunocompromised 62-year-old female patient of carcinoma breast who underwent mastectomy one year back. Patient was on intensive chemotherapy for past six months and having in situ intra vascular device. Patient was admitted with complaint of fever on and off for which multiple blood samples were collected from patient for three consecutive days from both peripheral and central venous catheter which was subjected to BACTEC® automation system followed by direct microscopic examination and culture. The identification to species level was performed by phenotypic, biochemical and DNA sequencing targeting heat shock protein 65 (hsp 65) gene. Patient improved remarkably on removal of catheter and receiving appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Keywords

• central venous catheter
• hsp 65 gene
• rapidly growing mycobacteria