Objectifs : Les infections dues a mycobacteries atypiques sont tres frequentes chez les patients infectes par le virus de l'immunodeficience humaine (VIH). Le complexe Mycobacterium avium intracellulare est le plus frequemment trouve, mais d'autres mycobacteries sont parfois isolees chez ces patients. Mycobacterium gordonae est une mycobacteries saprophyte consideree comme rarement pathogene. Elle represente 9 p. 100 des mycobacteries isolees sur une periode de 3 ans dans notre service (7 patients). Methodes : Afin de determiner si M. gordonae a un role pathogene chez les patients infectes par le VIH, nous avons revu retrospectivement 7 observations cliniques de patients chez qui M. gordonae a ete isole. Ces cas sont confrontes aux donnees de la litterature. Resultats : Tous nos patients ont une alteration de l'etat general, de la fievre et une atteinte pulmonaire. La radiographie pulmonaire est anormale chez 5 patients. M. gordonae est isole a partir des hemocultures chez 2 patients, des examens de crachats ou tubage chez 5 autres patients. L'evolution a ete favorable sous association antituberculeuse chez 5 des 7 patients. Conclusion : Un role pathogene de M. gordonae ne peut etre exclu chez les patients infectes par le VIH. Mais, compte tenu de son caractere ubiquitaire, son diagnostic doit etre pose devant une clinique typique et un isolement de la mycobacterie certain.

Objectives: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections are frequent in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Mycobacterium avium intracellulare is the most frequent organism isolated but several other mycobacteria are also seen, Mycobacterium gordonae is a saprophytic mycobacteria which is rarely pathogenic, It was observed in 9% (7 patients) of the mycobacterial infections observed in our unit over a period of 3 years. Methods: In order to determine whether M. gordonae plays a pathogenic role in HIV-infected patients, we re-evaluated the 7 clinical files of patients with M. gordonae infection, The findings were compared with data in the literature. Results: All seven of our patients had a poor general health status with fever and pulmonary infection, The chest X-ray was abnormal in 5 patients, M. gordonae was isolated hom blood cultures in 2 patients and from sputum or gastric contents in 5, Outcome was favourable using anti-tuberculosis combinations. Conclusion: A pathogenic role for M. gordonae cannot be excluded in HIV-infected patients, However, since this mycobacterium is an ubiquitous organism, diagnosis should be based on a typical clinical presentation and certain laboratory identification from appropriate samples.

OBJECTIVES:Non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections are frequent in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mycobacterium avium intracellulare is the most frequent organism isolated but several other mycobacteria are also seen. Mycobacterium gordonae is a saprophytic mycobacteria which is rarely pathogenic. It was observed in 9% (7 patients) of the mycobacterial infections observed in our unit over a period of 3 years.METHODS:In order to determine whether M. gordonae plays a pathogenic role in HIV-infected patients, we re-evaluated the 7 clinical files of patients with M. gordonae infection. The findings were compared with data in the literature.RESULTS:All seven of our patients had a poor general health status with fever and pulmonary infection. The chest X-ray was abnormal in 5 patients. M. gordonae was isolated from blood cultures in 2 patients and from sputum or gastric contents in 5. Outcome was favourable using anti-tuberculosis combinations.CONCLUSION:A pathogenic role for M. gordonae cannot be excluded in HIV-infected patients. However, since this mycobacterium is an ubiquitous organism, diagnosis should be based on a typical clinical presentation and certain laboratory identification from appropriate samples.