title: Mycobacterium marinum: chronic and extensive infections of the lower limbs in south Pacific islanders.
abstract: We report three adult cases of very chronic, extensive infection of the lower limbs due to Mycobacterium marinum. The patients were from South Pacific islands and, clinically, the widespread warty plaques resembled chromomycosis. One was associated with severe lymphoedema. All three patients gave a history of at least 20 years duration. The patients were otherwise well and not immunologically compromised. In all cases, the organism was identified on tissue cultures and was not seen on histopathology. The mycobacteria were sensitive to most antibiotics tested in vitro. The patients were treated with a combination of rifampicin and cotrimoxazole with good results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brenan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002862:Chromoblastomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007868:Leg Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019910:Mycobacterium marinum; D010139:Pacific Islands; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D012293:Rifampin