Mycobacterium gordonae pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent adult

CONTEXT: Nontuberculous mycobacteria are non-communicable organisms and currently there are over 125 species. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are usually recovered from the environment and can cause disease through respiratory, cutaneous, parenteral and gastrointestinal exposure. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of a young, immunocompetent patient that developed symptomatic Mycobacterium gordonae pulmonary infection. A computed tomography of the chest revealed hilar lymphadenopathy and nodular densities on the left side. Definitive diagnosis was made by a culture of a transbronchial biopsy. Treatment consisted of a short course of rifampin and ethambutol, which resulted in a clinical and radiographic improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Mycobacterium gordonae is capable of causing clinically significant disease in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals.