Atypical mycobacteriosis in two patients with rheumatoid arthritis
T. Origuchi1, K. Migita2, A. Kawakami2, S. Yamasaki2, A. Hida2, K. Shibatomi2, H. Ida2, Y. Kawabe2, K. Eguchi 2
(1)Nagasaki University School of Health Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8520 Japan Tel. +81-95-849-7921; Fax +81-95-849-7921 e-mail: f1080@cc.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
(2)The First Department of Internal Medicine, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan
Abstract We report two cases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with atypical mycobacteriosis. Opportunistic infections are critical complications for rheumatic diseases. The use of steroids or immunosuppressants may increase the risk of opportunistic infections. However, these reports are rare in that they demonstrate atypical mycobacterial infections as complications of RA, even though no immunosuppressive agents were used. We discuss the characteristics of atypical mycobacterial infections of the lung in RA.
Key words
Key words Atypical mycobacteriosis ・ Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
