Mycobacterium avium complex empyema in a patient with interferon gamma autoantibodies.
Hawaii J Med Public Health
; 73(9 Suppl 1): 15-7, 2014 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25285250
ABSTRACT
Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) autoantibodies are a relatively recently discovered clinical entity, which have been shown to be associated with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections and other opportunistic infections. Interestingly, isolated NTM infections (without disseminated NTM infection) have not been shown to be a good predictor of the presence of IFN-γ autoantibodies. This case describes an isolated NTM empyema in a patient with IFN-γ autoantibodies and makes the argument that the development of an NTM empyema in a patient with no known immunodeficiency should prompt consideration for IFN-γ testing. Additionally, this case underscores the importance for clinicians to recognize that an unusual infection without the typical cause of impairment in immunity should prompt a more thorough investigation of the patient's immune system.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Autoantibodies
/
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection
/
Interferon-gamma
/
Empyema
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Hawaii J Med Public Health
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article