Mycoplasma hominis bursitis in a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipient: case report and literature review

Mycoplasma hominis can be isolated frequently from the genitourinary tract of some healthy individuals. On rare occasions, it acts as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients. Here, we describe the case of a 39-year-old man with end-stage kidney disease secondary to diabetic nephropathy who received a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant. He developed pancreatitis and arterial thrombosis 2 weeks post-transplant and required a pancreatectomy. His kidney allograft function remained normal. He developed severe left hip pain 2 weeks post-transplant with a trochanteric bursal effusion detected on magnetic resonance imaging. The effusion grew M. hominis. The patient was treated with 100 mg of doxycycline twice daily for 9 months with full resolution of the effusion at 4 months post-treatment. We also review all previously reported M. hominis infections in transplant recipients.