Rifabutin in the treatment of cavitary lung disease due to Mycobacterium gordonae.

We have described a case of progressive pulmonary disease caused by M gordonae that failed to show any improvement in disease status after 9 months of intensive therapy with a conventional four-drug regimen. When rifabutin became available and was included in the regimen, the disease was cured. Although considered a saprophyte of the respiratory tract, M gordonae can cause clinically significant disease in rare instances. Initiation of appropriate therapy with rifabutin and other antituberculous agents could prevent the destructive lesions and prolonged morbidity of patients with disease caused by M gordonae.