Purulent meningitis and secondary epilepsy caused by Mycobacterium iranicum infection: A case report

ABSTRACT: Mycobacterium iranicum is characterized by rapid growth and orange-pigmented scotochromogenic colonies. However, it is uncommon for M. iranicum to invade the central nervous system. A man nearly 60 years old was referred to our hospital because of a seizure and unconsciousness. After admission, the patient had fever and dizziness without obvious abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid, except for an increase in neutrophils. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing and DNA testing were positive for M. iranicum. The patient was treated with imipenem, minocycline, moxifloxacin, and linezolid, and he gradually recovered during follow-up.