Objective To summarize the clinical experience of diagnosis and treatment of nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) infection after liver transplantation.
Methods Clinical experience of effective treatment of 1 case with NTM at 7th month after liver transplantation at the Shanghai Changzheng Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University was summarized and literature review was performed.
Results Following liver transplantation, the NTM patient was clinically manifested with fever in the afternoon. CT scan prompted the progression of the disease. The lesions were enlarged and fused with thin-walled cavity in the right upper lung. The diagnosis of NTM infection was validated by fiberoptic bronchoscopy (brush or lavage approach), spot test of T cells infected with mycobacterium tuberculosis (T-SPOT.TB), multiple phlegm culture and empirical anti-tuberculosis therapy. The patient was effectively treated and successfully discharged after diagnostic quadruple anti-tuberculosis therapy. The patient was followed up until the day of manuscript submission. The patient was physically stable without the symptoms of fever and cough with asthma. The liver function was normal.
Conclusions The incidence of NTM infection is rare and inneglectable after liver transplantation. Application of fibrobronchoscopy via brush or lavage approach can enhance the positive diagnostic rate. Diagnostic quadruple anti-tuberculosis therapy is efficacious for NTM infection.
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