Mycobacterium kansasii is a type of bacteria belonging to the genus Mycobacterium. Mycobacteria are known for their waxy, hydrophobic cell walls, which make them resistant to many common disinfectants and antibiotics. Mycobacterium kansasii is one of the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).
Infection: Mycobacterium kansasii can cause human disease, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. It primarily causes pulmonary infections that can mimic tuberculosis (TB) but is not contagious like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which causes tuberculosis. Like other mycobacterial species, tends to cause six clinical patterns of infection: pulmonary disease, skin and soft tissue disease, musculoskeletal infections including monoarticular septic arthritis and tenosynovitis, disseminated disease, catheter-associated disease, and lymphadenitis. Chronic pulmonary cavitary disease in the upper lobe is the most common presentation of M. kansasii infections, and patients may initially be misdiagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Symptoms: Infections with Mycobacterium kansasii can lead to symptoms similar to TB, such as chronic cough, fever, weight loss, and chest pain. It can also cause disseminated infections in immunocompromised individuals, affecting multiple organs.
Diagnosis: Diagnosis typically used to be made through the isolation and culture of the bacterium from clinical samples, such as sputum or tissue biopsies. Molecular techniques, like polymerase chain reaction (PCR), are now used to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium kansasii.
Treatment: Treatment for Mycobacterium kansasii infections usually involves a combination of antibiotics, including rifampin, isoniazid, and ethambutol, similar to the treatment for TB. The duration of treatment can be lengthy, often lasting for several months to over a year.
Prevention: Preventing Mycobacterium kansasii infections involves maintaining a strong immune system and avoiding exposure to the bacteria, particularly for individuals who are immunocompromised.
While Mycobacterium kansasii can cause serious infections, it is much less common than infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the primary cause of tuberculosis.
