Mycobacterium kansasii infections in patients with cancer

Mycobacterium kansasii was isolated from 25 patients with cancer who were c ared for at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (Houston) from January 1987 through December 1996, Two patients (8%) had disseminated disease, and 23 (92%) had pleuropulmonary isolates only. Signs and symptom s of mycobacterial infection at the time of diagnosis were often minimal or absent despite substantial radiographically evident involvement. The infec tions responded well to rifampin-based anti-mycobacterial regimens. M. kans asii is an infrequent but serious cause of pulmonary and, occasionally, dis seminated disease in patients with cancer.