Microscopic polyangiitis secondary to Mycobacterium abscessus in a patient with bronchiectasis: a case report.
Charlotte AddyG DoranA L JonesG WrightS CaskeyD G DowneyPublished in: BMC pulmonary medicine (2018)
This is the first reported case of an ANCA positive vasculitis secondary to M.abscessus pulmonary disease. This rare but important complication had a significant impact on the patient adding to the complexity of an already significant disease and treatment burden. The potential role of reduced interferon-gamma production in this case highlights the importance of investigating immune function in those with mycobacterial infection and the intricate relationship between mycobacterial infection and immune dysfunction. Immune dysfunction caused by genetic defects or immunosuppressive therapy is a known risk factor for NTM-PD. Balancing immunosuppressive therapy with prolonged antimicrobial treatment is challenging and likely to become more common as the number of individuals being treated with biologics and immunosuppressive agents increases.