Spinal Infection Secondary to Mycobacterium branderi

Mycobacterium branderi is a rare, slow-growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium initially identified as a species in 1995. Mycobacterium branderi has previously been reported as the sole pathogen isolated from pulmonary cavitary lesions and from a hand infection. We present a case of M. branderi as the sole pathogen isolated from a spinal epidural abscess associated with discitis, osteomyelitis, and psoas muscle abscesses in an immunocompromised host. The isolate was subjected to DNA hybridization testing and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, with results consistent with M. branderi and Mycobacterium celatum. Subsequent RNA polymerase β subunit gene sequencing identified the organism as M. branderi. The spinal infection is being treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ethambutol, azithromycin, and rifabutin. Repeat spinal cultures after initiation of treatment were negative for growth suggesting eradication of the organism.