Atypical mycobacteria in a superficial femoral artery occlusion

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Mar 10:2011:bcr0220113815. doi: 10.1136/bcr.02.2011.3815.

Abstract

There is indirect evidence that atherosclerosis may occur in association with bacterial infection. The authors report the case of a young woman who presented with right calf claudication caused by a short occlusion of the superficial femoral artery. Histological examination of the excised segment of artery revealed atheroma and atypical mycobacteria within adventitial caseating granulomata. The possible causes are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Femoral Artery / microbiology*
  • Femoral Artery / pathology
  • Humans
  • Intermittent Claudication / microbiology*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / complications
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnosis*