[Mycobacterium chelonae cutaneous infection: efficacy of prolonged treatment by clarithromycin].
BACKGROUND
Mycobacterium chelonae is an ubiquitous mycobacterium which is exceptionally pathogenic. It can cause localized skin infections which are difficult to treat because of multiple drug-resistance.


METHODS
A 87-year-old woman with bullous pemphigoid was treated with long-term prednisone and developed a skin infection due to M. Chelonae. Treatment with clarithromycin was successful, but relapse occurred 6 months after withdrawal of the antibiotic.


CONCLUSIONS
Clarithromycin is effective in single drug regimen for M. Chelonae infection, but the duration of treatment should be long when immunosuppression cannot be avoided.
Service de dermatologie, CHU Trousseau, Tours, France.
A L
AL
Bordet
L
L
Machet
A
A
De Muret
C
C
François-Ramanantsoa
G
G
Lorette
L
L
Vaillant
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D010391:Pemphigoid, Bullous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012874:Skin Diseases, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D017291:Clarithromycin; D011241:Prednisone