Pinpointing the source of infection of Mycobacterium avium hominissuis in children

Abstract

Mycobacterium avium hominissuis is the most important causative agent of chronic nontuberculous lymphadenitis in children. Despite a ubiquitous occurrence of the bacteria in the environment, the disease is a rare entity, and so far no source of infection has been formally identified. The current state of knowledge regarding possible sources of M. avium hominissuis, especially where children are concerned, is summarized here. An analysis of the seasonal variation of M. avium lymphadenitis in children leads to a new hypothesis regarding the probable source of infection of M. avium hominissuis, where global trade of alimentary products might be involved.

Keywords:

• Mycobacterium avium
• nontuberculous mycobacteria
• children
• seasonal variation
• lymphadenitis

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Lars Brudin and Joanna Webb for valuable comments on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

The author reports no conflicts of interest. The author alone is responsible for the content and writing of this article.