title: Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium abscessus.
abstract: Cutaneous infection with rapidly growing mycobacteria is uncommon and diagnosis may be difficult. However, the histopathological features are distinctive and may aid diagnosis. The three pathogenic species, Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. chelonae and M. abscessus, show major differences in their antimicrobial sensitivities, and species identification is therefore important. We describe a case of infection with M. abscessus, and discuss the clinical and pathological features of such infections, and approaches to their treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Staffordshire General Infirmary, U.K.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lees
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology