Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum Bloodstream Infection in Immunocompromised Hosts

Abstract Background Mycobacterium mucogenicum and Mycobacterium neoaurum are an infrequent cause of bloodstream infection in humans. When they are isolated from blood, it is not unusual for them to be considered to be contaminants initially. Methods A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with M. mucogenicum and M. neoaurum bacteremia was conducted from January 1998 to December 2018 at the University Health Network, Toronto, Canada. Results We identified 28 patients who had bloodstream infection caused by these organisms. These patients were immunocompromised hosts, patients with chronically indwelling vascular access devices or injection drug users. In 28.5% of the patients the isolation of these mycobacteria was considered colonization, 82% of the cases received antimicrobial therapy and in 95% of the patients the central line was removed. Conclusions The removal of the vascular access device and treatment with either single or combination antimicrobial therapy produced successful outcomes for these infections.