Mycobacterium heckeshornense: an emerging pathogen responsible for a recurrent lung infection.

Summary Mycobacterium heckeshornense was responsible for a severe, recurrent and chronic pulmonary infection in an immunocompetent 65-year-old woman. The pathogen, initially identified as Mycobacterium xenopi and considered as a contaminant, led to a delayed adapted antimicrobial treatment. Although M. heckeshornense is phenotypically closely related to M. xenopi , its pathogenicity is noticeably higher. Accurate molecular diagnosis methods and treatment guidelines are needed to improve the management of patients infected by this uncommon pathogen.