Endobronchial lesions in a non-AIDS patient with disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection

A 34 year old female developed Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare infection with generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary infiltration, pleural effusion and endobronchial polypoid lesions. M. avium-intracellulare was identified by means of sputum cultures, pleural effusion culture and lymph node culture. The anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody was negative. The CD4+ cell count was normal. Bronchoscopic examination revealed multiple polypoid lesions, which had nearly occluded the right main bronchus, right middle lobe and left lower lobe bronchi. Neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd-YAG) laser and antimycobacterial therapy were used effectively to relieve the airway obstruction. The clinical symptoms and signs responded favourably to antimycobacterial therapy.