CATHETER-RELATED BACTEREMIA DUE TO MYCOBACTERIUM-SMEGMATIS

Rapidly growing mycobacteria have occasionally been reported to cause catheter-related infections. We report a case of a central venous cath eter-related bacteremia, caused by Mycobacterium smegmatis, in a patie nt with cancer. Cultures of the catheter tip and blood cultures grew M smegmatis and Enterococcus faecalis. The patient responded to cathete r removal and a 3-month course of antibiotics (doxycycline and ciprofl oxacin), Based on our experience and the reported experience with othe r rapidly growing mycobacteria, M smegmatis catheter-related bacteremi a should be treated with catheter removal and a course of appropriate antibiotics, based on in vitro susceptibility testing.