title: Subcutaneous infection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a renal transplant recipient.
abstract: Transplant recipients show a high incidence of infections, often with atypical manifestations mainly because of drug-related immunosuppression. Mycobacterial infections can be life-threatening in immunosuppressed patients due to the risk of dissemination. There have been only few reports of cutaneous infections with Mycobacterium abscessus among immunosuppressed patients. We present a rare case with a sporotrichoid skin infection with M. abscessus in a renal recipient. The value of immunohistochemical detection of mycobacteria using an anti-BCG antibody in the diagnostic work-up skin biopsies is demonstrated. Long-term antibiotic treatment resulted in complete remission, although recurrences with atypical presentation were observed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Prinz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michaelis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kettelhack
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burg
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kempf
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin