Disseminated histiocytosis and intestinal malakoplakia. Occurrence due to Mycobacterium intracellulare infection.

Disseminated histiocytic proliferation and intestinal malakoplakia due to Mycobacterium intracellulare occurred in a 2-year-old white boy. Light and electron microscopic examination of autopsy material disclosed disseminated histiocytosis and malakoplakia of the intestine with numerous intracellular acid-fast bacilli. The isolated organism produced a similar disseminated histiocytosis and finally death when injected into experimental animals. A review of the literature showed only 12 previously reported cases of disseminated histiocytosis due to M intracellulare infection. We were unable to find a previous report of malakoplakia due to nontuberculous mycobacterial infection.