Rare case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis linked to Bacillus megaterium infection

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, typically associated with autoimmune disorders, can also occur due to rare infections such as Bacillus megaterium, according to a recent case study.

A patient presented with an intermittent cough and dyspnea persisting for 6 months. Imaging studies found a distinctive “crazy paving” pattern on a chest CT scan, prompting further investigation. A percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsy confirmed the presence of B. megaterium. The diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis was established by analyzing the CT scan, histological examination, and bacterial culture results.

Following the diagnosis, the patient underwent continuous antimicrobial treatment, which led to significant clinical improvement

Reference
Guo J, Chen J, Sun X. Bacillus megaterium infection presenting as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, a case report. BMC Infect Dis. 2024;24(1):868. doi: 10.1186/s12879-024-09713-2. PMID: 39192216; PMCID: PMC11348727.