Disseminated subcutaneous Mycobacterium fortuitum infection in a dog.
A 15-month-old 27.7-kg sexually intact male Doberman Pinscher was examined because of multiple subcutaneous abscesses on the neck, trunk, and limbs that developed 2 months after a dog bite and were refractory to antibiotic treatment. Incubation of a biopsy specimen at 37 C on a Lowenstein-Jensen agar slant for 8 days yielded growth of a Runyon's Group IV mycobacterium, and disseminated subcutaneous Mycobacterium sp infection was diagnosed. The organism was identified as M fortuitum, and was susceptible to amikacin, doxycycline, cefoxitin, minocycline, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, and sulfisoxazole. Lesions resolved after 8 months of treatment with doxycycline (5 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h). The cause of dissemination was unknown; however, delay in debridement of the bite wound and corticosteroid use in initial wound management may have potentiated dissemination.
Fox
L E
LE
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610-0126.
Kunkle
G A
GA
Homer
B L
BL
Manella
C
C
Thompson
J P
JP
D000038:Abscess / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D004285:Dogs; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D003907:Dexamethasone; D013752:Tetracycline; D004318:Doxycycline