Abstract
Background: This case report highlights a rare but serious presentation of mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in conjunction with a rare fungus found after ordering a chest computed tomography (CT) for the purposes of lung cancer screening.
Case presentation: The patient presented without any symptoms or physical exam findings for lung cancer screening and was found to have a large mass lesion of the lung with central cavitation with pathology confirming diagnosis of MAC infection with rare fungal hyphae.
Conclusions: Physicians should continue to perform preventive screening for lung cancer in those who have a 20 pack-year or more smoking history, and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years, and are between the ages of 50-80 years old, and maintain a high index of suspicion for uncommon presentations. The use of surgical pathology can serve as diagnostic tools when determining treatment plans for those who have any infectious disease findings.
Keywords
Mycobacterium avium complex, Lung cancer screening, Rare fungal hyphae, Pulmonary diagnosis, Infections.
Introduction
MAC infection could present in conjunction with rare fungal hyphae with little to no symptoms in those who have weakened immune systems or lung conditions. 1 MAC infection is present in soil and water and had had increased prevalence in non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) individuals. 1,2 MAC infection can become serious and damage the lungs and common presentations include fatigue, chronic cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, hemoptysis, and weight loss, however, many patients also present with little to no symptoms. 3 MAC infection has increased in prevalence, therefore, it is important for early detection and the use of pathology tools to develop appropriate treatment plans. 4 Here we present a unique case of MAC infection with rare fungus who presented for a routine physical exam.
