[Mycobacterium chelonae myositis].
BACKGROUND
Mycobacteria are only exceptionally responsible for infection of the skin and soft tissues. A Mycobacterium chelonae myositis occurred in an immunodepressed patient.


METHODS
A 49 year-old man, treated for many years with corticosteroids for vasculitis of the lower limbs associated with rheumatoid polyarthritis, was hospitalized for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Ten days later he developed myositis of the right arm with multiple subcutaneous abscesses. Culture of the purulent substance isolated Mycobacterium chelonae. Treatment with ciprofloxacine and clarithromycine led to the regression of the lesions. He was followed-up for 12 months.


CONCLUSIONS
M. chelonae is found in large quantities in the environment. Infection with this mycobacteria is enhanced by immunodepression, notably that secondary to corticosteroid therapy. Resistance to antibiotics are frequent. Clarithromycine is highly effective against this mycobacteria. Bi-therapy is recommended to avoid the emergence of resistance.
Hajjaji
N
N
Service de réanimation médicale, CHU de Tours.
Cattier
B
B
Lanotte
P
P
Legras
A
A
Perrotin
D
D
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications; D002939:Ciprofloxacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009220:Myositis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D017291:Clarithromycin