Susceptibility to mycobacterial infection in VEXAS syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: VEXAS is a recently described acquired auto-inflammatory and haematological syndrome caused by somatic mutations in UBA1. To date, VEXAS is not a recognized cause of acquired immunodeficiency.

Methods: Two of our ten VEXAS patients developed a disseminated Mycobacterium avium infection. To shed light on this observation, we retrospectively studied all patients with disseminated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMi) seen at our institution over 13 years. Inclusion criteria were a positive blood/bone marrow culture, or two positive cultures from distinct sites, or one positive culture with two involved sites.

Results: Patient 1 presented with fever, rash, orbital cellulitis and lung infiltrates. Patient 2 presented with fever and purpura. In both cases, Mycobacterium avium was identified on bone marrow culture. Twenty cases of disseminated NTMi were reviewed. Among 11 HIV-negative patients, three had chronic immune-mediated disease; three had untreated myeloid neoplasm; two had VEXAS; one had undergone kidney transplantation; one had GATA-2 deficiency; and one had no identified aetiology. None had lymphoid neoplasia or had undergone bone marrow transplantation. HIV-negative cases had higher CD4 counts than HIV-positive patients (median CD4: 515/mm3 vs 38/mm3, P < 0.001). Monocytopenia was present in seven cases. At 2 years, six patients had died, including both VEXAS patients.

Conclusion: VEXAS patients have an intrinsic susceptibility to disseminated NTMi, which may result from monocytic dysfunction. NTMi can mimic VEXAS flare. Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion for opportunistic infections before escalating immunosuppressive therapy. Further studies are needed to confirm and better decipher the herein reported observations.

Keywords: UBA1; VEXAS syndrome; auto-inflammatory syndrome; non-tuberculous mycobacteria.