Fatal pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium smegmetis in an infant.

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium smegmetis is a rapidly growing mycobacteria which is usually regarded as an environmental saorophyte. Recently it has been isolated from human beings mainly from skin and soft tissue lesions. Pulmonary lesions are extremely rare. A case of pulmonary consolidation caused by M. smegmetis in an infant is reported. The outcome was fatal. The organism was resistant to various antitubercular drugs. A brief review is presented.