Peritonitis due to Mycobacterium fortuitum infection following gastric cancer surgery

Mycobacterium fortuitum is a well-documented cause of nosocomial infection. However, no studies have reported peritonitis with M. fortuitum as a posto perative complication. We describe a case of peritonitis with M. fortuitum biovariant peregrinum following gastric cancer surgery. Gram-positive bacte rial infection coexisted. Although the source of the infection was unclear, the patient was successfully treated with drainage tube exchange and combi nation therapy consisting of sparfloxacin, clarithromycin, and imipenem/cil astatin sodium. Thus for postoperative infectious pathogens, not only bacte ria but also nontuberculous mycobacteria should be considered.