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Mycobacterium Kansasii In the Kidney

01/29/2009

Question:

Can you give me more info on mycobacterium kansasii? I have been told I have it in my kidney.  I`ve read some info about it and it all says that it is found in people with HIV or AIDS. I don`t have HIV or AIDS. I`ve been in treatment for about 2 years. Now I take Rifampicin and Benerva Tiamina. I`m being treated by a doctor in Mexico, but I was also examined by the health department in California and was told that I have mycobacterium kansasii.

Answer:

Most people with Mycobacterium kansasii infections are not HIV-infected, although it is not unusual for this organism to infect someone whose immunologic system is weakened, such as having had an organ transplant, being on prednisone or immunosuppressive medications, or having AIDS. Mycobacterium kansasii is one of the relatives of TB that can infect healthy people and people with other chronic lung diseases as well as immunocompromised people. Like TB, one needs to take a long course of therapy to cure the infection. It has caused disease in nearly all parts of the world, and no ethnic group is especially prone to infection with it. Best of luck to you.

For more information:

Go to the Infectious Diseases health topic.