文摘
Background
<p>The association of Mycobacterium avium mycobacteriosis with chronic intoxication produced by aflatoxins from contaminated corn is extremely rare. It has been proposed that aflatoxins are powerful immunosupressors which could facilitate infection by opportunistic microrganisms.Material and Methods
<p>A Colombian immigrant family of four, father, mother and two sons, kept turtle doves, hens and turkeys in a small domestic aviary and fed the birds with corn stored under hot and humid conditions. The father presented with intermittent diarrhoea, weight loss and ascites and the younger son with symmetrical, bilateral, submandibular lymphadenitis. When the whole family and their living conditions were studied, both human and avian mycobacteriosis were discovered, together with fungal and toxic contamination of the corn used for bird food.Results
<p>The father was found to have hepatic lesions compatible with chronic intoxication with aflatoxins. Furthermore, non tuberculous mycobacteriosis was present in his lungs and intestinal tract. The 5 year old son was diagnosed with mycobacterial lymphadenitis. The mother and 17 year old son were symptom free but had a positive Mantoux (PPD intradermorreaction). The birds were found to have avian tuberculosis. Molecular typing revealed the same strain of Mycobacterium avium to be present in the father, his son and the birds.Conclusions
<p>Reports of mycobacteriosis associated with aflatoxin-induced hepatic pathology are exceptional, although recently more cases are coming to light. Due to the extremely unusual nature of the case reported here, we have made an in-depth study of the major lesions characteristic of both conditions.
