Mycobacterium arupense in Cancer Patients

Mycobacterium arupense is a slo-groing, nonchromogenic, acid-fast bacillus. Its clinical spectrum, epidemiology, and frequency of colonization versus true infection remain unknon. e evaluated the clinical significance of M arupense and positive cultures from cancer patients. e retrospectively revieed records of all cancer patients treated at our institution beteen 2007 and 2014 to identify those ho had positive cultures for M arupense. Mycobacterium arupense as identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA and hsp65 genes. A total of 53patients had positive cultures, 100% of hich ere isolated from respiratory specimens. Of these, 7 patients met the American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America criteria for a definitive diagnosis of M arupense infection, 14 cases ere considered to be probable infections, and 29 cases ere considered to be possible infections. Of the included patients, 13 received therapy for M arupense infection and 40 did not. The outcomes of treated and untreated patients did not differ significantly. No relapses of M arupense infection. In addition, there ere no M arupense-related deaths in either group. In cancer patients, M arupense appears to be mostly a commensal organism rather than a pathogen. Patients ho did or did not receive treatment had similar outcomes. Validation of these findings in a larger prospective trial is arranted.