Disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae subspecies chelonae infection with cutaneous and osseous manifestations.
A 75-year-old man who had been receiving corticosteroids for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with nodulopustular skin lesions, bone pain, and constitutional symptoms. Evaluation revealed a disseminated infection with Mycobacterium chelonae subspecies chelonae, with cutaneous and osseous involvement documented by histopathologic studies and cultures. The bone involvement is a novel observation for this subspecies. The patient was successfully treated with a three-drug regimen of tobramycin sulfate, erythromycin stearate, and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. We present a discussion of the case in the context of the literature.
Drabick
J J
JJ
Infectious Disease Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5000.
Duffy
P E
PE
Samlaska
C P
CP
Scherbenske
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000473:pathology*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000473:pathology*; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000473:pathology*