Nontuberculous mycobacterial infection of the central nervous system in patients with AIDS.

Infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are especially common in patients with AIDS. Meningitis due to NTM, however, is rare. A search for CSF cultures positive for NTM over the past 11 years at our hospital yielded 16 cases. Of these, 15 were caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellular (MAI), and one was caused by M fortuitum. All patients with MAI infection had widespread dissemination and at least one risk factor for AIDS. Clinical features included weight loss, altered mentation, and seizures. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid revealed a mildly elevated leukocyte count with lymphocyte predominance and normal protein and glucose values. All direct smears were negative for acid-fast bacilli. In-hospital mortality was 67%. The patient with infection due to M fortuitum had a preexisting diagnosis of AIDS and had a right upper lobe pneumonia and headaches. Cranial CT showed an enlarged infundibulum of the pituitary gland. Results of CSF analysis were essentially normal, and direct smears were negative. He left the hospital against medical advice. Our study indicates that the finding of MAI in the CSF in patients with AIDS is associated with an in-house mortality of 67% indicating a very poor prognosis.