Cutaneous nodules of Mycobacterium chelonae in an immunosuppressed patient with preexisting pulmonary colonization.
A 30-year-old immunocompromised man with known pulmonary Mycobacterium chelonae colonization developed a systemic infection with cutaneous manifestations. The eruption consisted of multiple, nontender, subcutaneous nodules on the extremities. A diagnosis of disseminated M. chelonae was made on the basis of recovery of M. chelonae subspecies abscessus from blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and histologic evidence of acid-fast bacilli in a skin biopsy specimen. We believe this is the first reported case of disseminated M. chelonae infection in an immunocompromised host in whom a primary source of the infection was identified.
Swetter
S M
SM
Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Medical Center, CA 94305.
Kindel
S E
SE
Smoller
B R
BR
D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D012008:Recurrence; D014382:Tuberculosis, Cutaneous / Q000382:microbiology*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000382:microbiology