Identification of Mycobacterium fortuitum by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in blood culture

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) belong to the genus Mycobacterium which comprises several species such as those of the Mycobacterium fortuitum group. Infections in post-surgical situations, as well as in hemodialysis patients, especially those with immunocompromising, are not uncommon. In spite of the diverse sites in which such microorganism can be isolated, the cases in which systemic infection occurs are not common. The aim of this study was to present a case report of M. fortuitum in blood culture. Identification was performed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Real-Time PCR confirmation.