First report of cervicofacial lymphadenitis due to Mycobacterium haemophilum in an immunocompromised adult patient

Abstract

We report the first case of an immunocompromised adult patient presenting with cervicofacial lymphadenitis due to Mycobacterium haemophilum, confirmed using hsp65 gene sequencing and line-probe assays. In resource-limited settings, especially in developing countries, appropriate culture methods and rapid molecular diagnostic tools such as hsp65 gene sequencing for identification of this organism may not be readily available. This may cause M. haemophilum infections to go unrecognised or lead to delays in diagnosis. Lack of heightened awareness about the potential for this mycobacterial species to cause infections may also contribute to possible underestimation of M. haemophilum cases in the developing world.