[Clinical analysis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection complicated by pleurisy].

OBJECTIVE: There are few reports describing pleurisy caused by nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis; in addition, there are few reports describing the frequency of cases. METHOD: We retrospectively studied 116 consecutive cases of nontuberculous mycobacteriosis occurring between January 2009 and January 2014. RESULT: Of these, 7 patients (6.0%) were diagnosed with pleuritis caused by nontuberculous pulmonary mycobacteriosis. One patient each had a history of ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis treated with steroids, and retinitis pigmentosa. Pleural effusion was examined in all 7 cases. In addition, nontuberculous mycobacteria were cultured from pleural effusion in 4 of the 7 cases; all were cases of Mycobacterium avium complex infection. The mean adenosine deaminase level in pleural effusion was 86 U/mL, and in 5 out of 7 cases, the adenosine deaminase level was greater than 50 U/mL. Pneumothorax occurred with pleuritis in 5 cases. Pleuritis was treated with NTM therapy in 5 cases, and pleural effusion decreased or cleared completely in all cases. CONCLUSION: To reveal pleurisy accompanied by nontuberculous mycobacteriosis, further consideration is needed.