Pulmonary disease caused by mycobacterium asiaticum

Abstract

A 62-year-old male residing in Los Angeles, California, presented with a right upper lobe nodule associated with dry cough and weight loss. Mycobacterium asiaticum was isolated from sputum on two separate occasions. The patient was subsequently treated with four anti-tuberculous drugs, with bacteriologic conversion. This is the first report of pulmonary disease caused by M. asiaticum in the United States. The bacteriologic, immunologic and clinical aspects are reviewed.