Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease with Detection of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Pleural Fluid.

BACKGROUND

Tuberculous pleurisy (TP) is one of the most common types of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, often secondary to tuberculosis (TB). Clinical and imaging manifestations of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary diseases (NTM-PD) are usually similar to those of tuberculosis. Because of their similarity and the high incidence of tuberculosis, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections are often overlooked for a long time. Especially in people without immunodeficiency.

METHODS

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in pleural effusion was found by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS). During anti-tuberculosis treatment, mNGS of lung tissue by ultrasound-guided percutaneous lung puncture revealed that this patient had combined NTM-PD.

RESULTS

Mycobacterium chelonae (M. chelonae) was detected by mNGS, and after anti-NTM treatment, the patient's chest CT showed that the inflammation was absorbed more than before, and the patient's symptoms improved.

CONCLUSIONS

When TB is poorly treated with standardized anti-tuberculosis therapy, comorbid non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections may be considered, and mNGS may complement traditional pathogenetic testing.