Publication Highlight: Disseminated Mycobacterium avium: A multi-organ system investigation
A new medical investigation by GenPath Africa colleagues Christoffel Johannes Opperman, Sarishna Singh, and Wynand Goosen from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) and Stellenbosch University, highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by severe infections of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in vulnerable patients. Their research underscores the need for precise testing to ensure patients with complex infections receive the correct treatment.
What is this publication about?
This report details a multi-organ investigation of a 33-year-old HIV-positive patient who developed a severe, widespread infection of Mycobacterium avium (a type of NTM). The researchers used a variety of advanced diagnostic tools - including ultrasound, bone marrow biopsies, and specialized cultures - to track how the bacteria had spread to the patient’s blood, spleen, stool, and lungs.
Why is this important?
The study highlights a critical diagnostic risk: common screening tests used for tuberculosis (TB) can sometimes give false-positive results because they cross-react with other related bacteria like NTM. In immunocompromised patients, these "atypical" infections can be just as dangerous as TB but require different antibiotic treatments. This research provides valuable insights into how these complex diseases appear in clinical settings and the difficulty of managing them when they spread throughout the body.
How can this make a difference?
By detailing the diagnostic pathway of disseminated NTM, this work helps clinicians better understand how to identify these infections in patients with weakened immune systems. It advocates for a comprehensive diagnostic approach that uses multiple types of samples to accurately differentiate between TB and other mycobacteria. Ultimately, these insights can help health systems improve diagnostic accuracy and ensure that high-risk patients receive the most effective life-saving care.
Christoffel Johannes Opperman, Sarishna Singh, Yons Ghebrekristos, Michael Linström, Lourens Jacobsz, Wynand Goosen, "Disseminated Mycobacterium avium: A multi-organ system investigation." International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2026; 165: 108475. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108475.
