Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense presenting as recurrent steroid-responsive mesenteric lymphadenitis
- 1Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- 2Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
Abstract
Background : Mycobacterium genavense is a rare opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacterium primarily reported in advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection.
Case Summary : A 70-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed progressive abdominal pain, weight loss, and mesenteric lymphadenitis repeatedly responsive to corticosteroids. Endoscopic biopsies revealed abundant acid-fast bacilli, and molecular testing confirmed the presence of M. genavense. Treatment with azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifabutin led to gradual recovery.
Conclusion : Steroid-responsive mesenteric inflammation in immunocompromised patients should prompt evaluation for infection, including mycobacteria and other culture-negative microorganisms using molecular diagnostics. This case report highlights the importance of plasma microbial cell-free DNA assays in the identification of fastidious organisms, like M. genavense, and, in some cases, serial testing may be useful to monitor treatment response.
Related
- Mycobacterium mageritense submandibular lymphadenitis in children: diagnostic challenges and the role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing: two case reports and literature review.
- The hidden culprit: mesenteric venous occlusion presenting as refractory upper gastrointestinal bleeding post‑Whipple
- Disseminated Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis Presenting as a Wedge-Shaped Necrotic Mass Mimicking Malignancy
- Disseminated Mycobacterium colombiense Disease in a Person Living with HIV: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations.
- Disseminated Mycobacterium kansasii and Salmonella Typhimurium co-infection following iatrogenic immunosuppression: a case report
BibTeX
@article{mira2026disseminated,
title = {{Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense presenting as recurrent steroid-responsive mesenteric lymphadenitis}},
author = {Portia Mira and Nancy L. Wengenack and Mary J. Kasten},
journal = {ASM case reports},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1128/asmcr.00067-26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13729753},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Disseminated Mycobacterium genavense presenting as recurrent steroid-responsive mesenteric lymphadenitis
AU - Portia Mira
AU - Nancy L. Wengenack
AU - Mary J. Kasten
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/29
JO - ASM case reports
DO - 10.1128/asmcr.00067-26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13729753
AB - Background : Mycobacterium genavense is a rare opportunistic non-tuberculous mycobacterium primarily reported in advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. Case Summary : A 70-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed progressive abdominal pain, weight loss, and mesenteric lymphadenitis repeatedly responsive to corticosteroids. Endoscopic biopsies revealed abundant acid-fast bacilli, and molecular testing confirmed the presence of M. genavense. Treatment with azithromycin, ethambutol, and rifabutin led to gradual recovery. Conclusion : Steroid-responsive mesenteric inflammation in immunocompromised patients should prompt evaluation for infection, including mycobacteria and other culture-negative microorganisms using molecular diagnostics. This case report highlights the importance of plasma microbial cell-free DNA assays in the identification of fastidious organisms, like M. genavense, and, in some cases, serial testing may be useful to monitor treatment response.
SN - 2996-2684
ER -