Pneumonia Caused by Mycobacterium shimoidei: An Uncommon Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in a Young Woman with Anorexia Nervosa - Takeaways - MDSpire

Pneumonia Caused by Mycobacterium shimoidei: An Uncommon Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in a Young Woman with Anorexia Nervosa

  • By

  • Ahmad Wael Sultan

  • Rolf Schwarzer

  • Martin Kuhns

  • Hildrun Haibel

  • Thomas Schneider

  • Rasmus Leistner

  • April 16, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    Mycobacterium shimoidei is a rare non-tuberculous mycobacterium that can cause severe pneumonia, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

  • 2

    A 37-year-old woman with anorexia nervosa and chronic kidney disease developed a pulmonary infection caused by M. shimoidei, highlighting diagnostic challenges.

  • 3

    Diagnosis of M. shimoidei was confirmed through next-generation sequencing and culture, as traditional methods were time-consuming.

  • 4

    The patient was treated with a combination of moxifloxacin, rifabutin, and ethambutol for twelve months, leading to clinical improvement.

  • 5

    Individuals with eating disorders may have weakened immune systems, increasing susceptibility to infections from low virulence pathogens like NTM.

Original Source(s)

Pneumonia Caused by Mycobacterium shimoidei: An Uncommon Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in a Young Woman with Anorexia Nervosa

  • by Ahmad Wael Sultan, Rolf Schwarzer, Martin Kuhns, Hildrun Haibel, Thomas Schneider, Rasmus Leistner

  • April 16, 2026

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