Mycobacterium kansasii pericarditis as a presentation of AIDS

Mycobacterium kansasii infection is a recognized complication of AIDS and a broad spectrum of extrapulmonary manifestations has been reported. However , AIDS-related M. kansasii pericarditis is an extremely rare disease. We re port the first European case of this infection, that presented some differe nt clinical findings to those previously described in HIV-infected individu als. M. kansasii pericarditis was the first AIDS-defining illness presented by the patient. The stained smears of pericardial fluid were negative for acid-fast bacilli and an increased level of adenosine deaminase was observe d in pericardial fluid, A short course of prednisone therapy was added to a ntituberculous treatment, with a good clinical response.