Background
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widespread worldwide. These
bacteria can be transmitted to humans from environmental sources such as
soil and water with no reported cases of person-to-person transmission
[1].
Mycobacterium szulgai (M. szulgai ) is a slow-growing NTM
and a rare human pathogen, representing <0.2% of all NTM
infections. [2]. M. szulgai pulmonary infections are
infrequently reported in those with a history of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, or immunosuppression [3].
Clinically, it is indistinguishable from Mycobacterium
tuberculosis infection and neoplasm, therefore, it is critical to be
diagnosed accurately [4]. Moreover, there is no consensus
recommendation for treatment of M. szulgai infections, probably
due to its low prevalence [5]. Herein, we present a case of M.
szulgai pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent patient without any
history of tuberculosis or consumption of immunosuppressive drugs but
severely deficient in vitamin D that was successfully treated in
Mashhad, Iran.