[Microbiological diagnosis of mycobacterioses caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum]

Abstract

Introduction: According to foreign literature Mycobacterium haemophilum causes diseases of the skin, subcutis and lymph nodes in immunocompetent individuals, while in AIDS patients and in subjects after kidney transplantations it is responsible for osteomyelitis and disseminated infections.

Material and methods: The authors tested the possibility of using a BioFM medium with the X-factor for the detection of Mycobacterium haemophilum in clinical samples and Middlebrook's 7H9 medium with ADC and the X-factor to establish the sensitivity of strains to antimicrobials using the MIC method.

Conclusions: Given the favourable results of preliminary tests the use of the BioFM medium was included among the routine methods applied at the department. In one year Mycobacterium haemophilum was detected with this method in 3 patients presenting extrapulmonary mycobacteriosis.