Abstract

FRANCO-PAREDES, Carlos. Aerobic actinomycetes that masquerade as pulmonary tuberculosis. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2014, vol.71, n.1, pp.37-40. ISSN 1665-1146.

Background: There is an increasing recognition of organisms in the order Actinomycetales including Nocardia sp. causing lung infections that mimic pulmonary tuberculosis or fungal pneumonias. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated a cohort of patients in the southeastern United States in whom a presumptive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was initially entertained but who eventually were found to have infection caused by Rhodococcus sp. or Tsukamurella sp. Results: Among a cohort of 52 individuals diagnosed as case suspects for pulmonary tuberculosis, we identified six patients who were infected with either Rhodococcus sp. or Tsukamurella sp. Of these six patients, two had co-infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusions: Infection with aerobic actinomycetes may mimic pulmonary tuberculosis or may cause concomitant disease in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Keywords : Rhodococcus equi; Tsukamurella sp.; Tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Tuberculosis-like pneumonias.

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