DOI: 10.12890/2025_005621

Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma complicated by Mycobacterium avium and Scedosporium apiospermum

Authors

  • Dhiran Sivasubramaniam Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
  • Bala Vignesh Kalyanasundaram Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Phoenix/Scottsdale, USA
  • Nithish Nanda Palanisamy Department of Internal Medicine, Coimbatore Medical College, Coimbatore, India
  • Sivakumar Nagaraju Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Lovelace Medical Centre, Albuquerque, USA

nithishnanda1207@gmail.com

Keywords

Opportunistic infection, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, anti-fungal treatment, pulmonary mycobacterium avium complex disease

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the most common adult leukaemia in Western countries, poses unique management challenges, particularly when complicated by opportunistic infections. This report presents a rare case of CLL with concurrent Mycobacterium avium and Scedosporium apiospermum infections—pathogens increasingly recognized for causing severe disease in immunocompromised individuals. Their coexistence highlights the need for heightened awareness of diverse infectious complications in CLL patients.
Case description: We present a case of a 78-year-old male with CLL receiving chemotherapy, who developed burning pain in the tongue and oral mucosa, accompanied by a non- productive cough. He was initially diagnosed with pneumonia, but further investigation revealed co-infection involving M. avium and S. apiospermum.
Discussion: The coexistence of M. avium and S. apiospermum underscores the complexity of infectious complications in CLL. The patient’s chemotherapy was halted due to active pneumonitis observed on imaging in order to improve his leukocyte count. Antifungal therapy was not initiated due to a lack of evidence of invasive fungal infection. Antimycobacterial therapy for M. avium complex was initiated.
Conclusion: This case highlights the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and continued research to optimize management strategies and improve outcomes in CLL patients with dual infections.

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Published

2025-07-17

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 8 (2025)

Categories

How to Cite

1.
Sivasubramaniam D, Kalyanasundaram BV, Palanisamy NN, Nagaraju S. Chronic lymphocytic lymphoma complicated by Mycobacterium avium and Scedosporium apiospermum. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 17 [cited 2026 Nov. 3];12(8). Available from: https://ejcrim.com/index.php/ejcrim/article/view/5621