COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma

Background. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic causing multiple fatalities and morbidities worldwide. We report a case of severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium abscessus in an elderly patient with multi...

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Main Authors: Jose A. Rodriguez, Charles Bonnano, Pratik Khatiwada, Alejandra A. Roa, Daniel Mayer, Paula A. Eckardt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8840536
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author Jose A. Rodriguez
Charles Bonnano
Pratik Khatiwada
Alejandra A. Roa
Daniel Mayer
Paula A. Eckardt
author_facet Jose A. Rodriguez
Charles Bonnano
Pratik Khatiwada
Alejandra A. Roa
Daniel Mayer
Paula A. Eckardt
author_sort Jose A. Rodriguez
collection DOAJ
description Background. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic causing multiple fatalities and morbidities worldwide. We report a case of severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium abscessus in an elderly patient with multiple myeloma in Florida, USA. Case Presentation. An 84-year-old male with a medical history significant for multiple myeloma not in remission was sent to the emergency department to rule out COVID-19 infection prior to continuing his chemotherapy sessions. At presentation, he had nonspecific mild symptoms and an unremarkable physical examination. He had significant blood test findings including serum lactate dehydrogenase 373 U/L, high sensitive C-reactive protein 17.40 mg/l, and ferritin 415 ng/ml. Xpert-SARS-CoV-2 was positive. Chest radiograph revealed patchy areas of interstitial infiltrates in mid to lower lung zones. During his hospitalization course, his oxygenation deteriorated, requiring mechanical intubation. Repeat chest radiograph showed worsening bilateral infiltrates. He was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and eventually weaned off mechanical intubation and extubated. On the 11th day of admission, he was found to be bradycardic and in shock, and he was reintubated. His labs showed worsening inflammatory markers along with kidney dysfunction to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy. He received both convalescent plasma and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Eventually, repeat blood cultures came back positive for the growth of acid-fast beaded bacilli. While awaiting final culture and sensitivity reports, his antibiotics were upgraded to cover possible nocardia infection. Repeat blood and sputum cultures resulted in growth of AFB bacilli Mycobacterium abscessus 1 week after. Conclusions. This case report highlights the importance of keeping a broad differential and considering multiple coinfections, including atypical ones during this COVID-19 pandemic, such as the one that was discussed above, Mycobacterium abscessus, in order to provide goal-directed therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-6bdde1f89ea5457da8cf22fb7d7664d32025-08-20T02:06:11ZengWileyCase Reports in Infectious Diseases2090-66252090-66332021-01-01202110.1155/2021/88405368840536COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple MyelomaJose A. Rodriguez0Charles Bonnano1Pratik Khatiwada2Alejandra A. Roa3Daniel Mayer4Paula A. Eckardt5Department of Internal Medicine, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines, FL, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines, FL, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines, FL, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, Memorial Healthcare System, Pembroke Pines, FL, USADivision of Critical Care Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Healthcare, Pembroke Pines, FL, USADivision of Infectious Disease, Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Healthcare System, Hollywood, FL, USABackground. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a worldwide pandemic causing multiple fatalities and morbidities worldwide. We report a case of severe pneumonia causing acute respiratory distress syndrome due to a coinfection with SARS-CoV-2 and Mycobacterium abscessus in an elderly patient with multiple myeloma in Florida, USA. Case Presentation. An 84-year-old male with a medical history significant for multiple myeloma not in remission was sent to the emergency department to rule out COVID-19 infection prior to continuing his chemotherapy sessions. At presentation, he had nonspecific mild symptoms and an unremarkable physical examination. He had significant blood test findings including serum lactate dehydrogenase 373 U/L, high sensitive C-reactive protein 17.40 mg/l, and ferritin 415 ng/ml. Xpert-SARS-CoV-2 was positive. Chest radiograph revealed patchy areas of interstitial infiltrates in mid to lower lung zones. During his hospitalization course, his oxygenation deteriorated, requiring mechanical intubation. Repeat chest radiograph showed worsening bilateral infiltrates. He was started on broad-spectrum antibiotics and eventually weaned off mechanical intubation and extubated. On the 11th day of admission, he was found to be bradycardic and in shock, and he was reintubated. His labs showed worsening inflammatory markers along with kidney dysfunction to the point of requiring renal replacement therapy. He received both convalescent plasma and remdesivir for treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia. Eventually, repeat blood cultures came back positive for the growth of acid-fast beaded bacilli. While awaiting final culture and sensitivity reports, his antibiotics were upgraded to cover possible nocardia infection. Repeat blood and sputum cultures resulted in growth of AFB bacilli Mycobacterium abscessus 1 week after. Conclusions. This case report highlights the importance of keeping a broad differential and considering multiple coinfections, including atypical ones during this COVID-19 pandemic, such as the one that was discussed above, Mycobacterium abscessus, in order to provide goal-directed therapy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8840536
spellingShingle Jose A. Rodriguez
Charles Bonnano
Pratik Khatiwada
Alejandra A. Roa
Daniel Mayer
Paula A. Eckardt
COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
Case Reports in Infectious Diseases
title COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
title_full COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
title_fullStr COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
title_full_unstemmed COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
title_short COVID-19 Coinfection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma
title_sort covid 19 coinfection with mycobacterium abscessus in a patient with multiple myeloma
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/8840536
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