Tobar, Pool

Abstract Background Mycobacteirum Szulgai is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium known to cause human disease. Descriptions in the literature are limited to case reports and a larger case series from the Netherlands. Guidelines from the American Thoracic Society recommend that M. szulgai should always be considered pathogenic and that treatment should be based on in-vitro susceptibilities. Demographics and patient characteristics Methods We embarked on a retrospective study of adults ( >18 years) with M. szulgai infection at the Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida. We queried the Mayo Clinic Database using two different search methods, (Advanced Text Explorer and the Mayo Data Explorer) using the terms ‘Mycobacterium Szulgai,’ ‘Mycobacteria Szulgai’,’ M. Szulgai’ and ‘Szulgai.’ Medical records from 1994 to 2023 were reviewed. Diagnostic studies Results Initial search yielded 43 patients. Twenty-seven patients were excluded (incomplete records or prior history of infection treated elsewhere). For our cohort of 16 patients, the mean age was 65 years [IRQ 57-74 years], 13 of those were caucasian. Five patients [31%] were immunosuppressed. Thirteen patients [81%] developed pulmonary infection, 5[31%] had extra pulmonary infection (2[12%] with disseminated disease and 3[19%] with extra-pulmonary disease without primary pulmonary infection). Only 8 [50%] patients received specific therapy. All treated patients met ATS criteria for NTM infections, while 3 [19%] untreated patient met criteria. Only 4 [25%] patient received therapy based on susceptibilities. The most common regimen was a combination of rifampin, ethambutol and macrolide in 5[31%] of the patients. Seven patients [47%] were cured, 4[27%] had ongoing symptoms, 1[7%] had relapse and 1 [7%] is currently receiving therapy. There were 2[ 13%] deaths in the untreated group and none from the treated group. One patient was lost to follow up. Treatment and outcomes Conclusion Our findings echo published literature and ATS recommendations that M. szulgai should be regarded as a true pathogen that necessitates targeted therapy. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

AbstractBackgroundDevelopment of brain abscess following solid organ transplantation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We undertook a descriptive study to evaluate the etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of brain abscess in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients at three major transplant centers in the United States.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of adults with brain abscess following SOT between January 2000 and June 2021 at Mayo Clinic sites in Arizona, Minnesota, and Florida.ResultsA total of 39 patients were diagnosed with a brain abscess following SOT. The most common pathogens were Nocardia sp. (24 cases, 61.5% [Nocardia farcinica, 37.5%]), followed by fungi (12 cases, 30.7% [Aspergillus sp., 83.3%]). The majority were kidney transplant recipients (59%). Median time to brain abscess diagnosis was 1.3 years (range, 29 days–12 years) after SOT; 10 of 12 patients (83%) with fungal brain abscess were diagnosed within 1 year after SOT. Twelve patients underwent brain biopsy for diagnosis (25% Nocardia vs. 50% fungal), eight (20.5%) underwent surgical resection of the abscess, and 31 (79.5%) received antimicrobial therapy alone. Median time to brain abscess resolution was 166 days for Nocardia and 356 days for fungal pathogens. Eleven of 39 patients (28.2%) died as a result of their brain abscess, including four of 24 patients (16%) with Nocardia and six of 10 patients (60%) with Aspergillus brain abscess. All‐cause mortality was 43.6%.ConclusionBrain abscess remains an uncommon infectious complication following SOT. Nocardia and fungi accounted for 92% of pathogens in our cohort. Fungal brain abscess portends a poor prognosis. image