Co-infection with pansensitive and multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

We report a case of a 23-year-old HIV-negative man with multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis that became evident while he was being treated for M. tuberculosis that was sensitive to all first-line drugs. This case should alert clinicians to consider co-infection as a possible cause of recrudescent disease.

Figure

Poster-anterior chest radiographs of patient with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. A) Radiograph taken at diagnosis, demonstrating dense consolidation of the left lower lobe and lingula. A left apical cavity is present. Minimal change is also noted in the right mid-lung zone. B) Radiograph taken after 5 months of directly observed therapy. Marked clearance is noted on the left; however, a new small cavitary lesion with surrounding infiltrate is noted in the right mid-lung zone (black arrow).