title: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.
abstract: Skin and soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria are increasing in incidence. The nontuberculous mycobacteria are environmental, acid-fast bacilli that cause cutaneous infections primarily after trauma, surgery and cosmetic procedures. Skin findings include abscesses, sporotrichoid nodules or ulcers, but also less distinctive signs. Important species include Mycobacterium marinum and the rapidly growing mycobacterium: M. fortuitum, M. abscessus and M. chelonae. Obtaining tissue for mycobacterial culture and histopathology aids diagnosis. Optimal therapy is not well-established, but is species-dependent and generally dictated by susceptibility studies. Management often includes use of multiple antibiotics for several months and potential use of adjunctive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Tania M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Santiago
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. Electronic address: drage.lisa@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Drage
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum; D019910:Mycobacterium marinum; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Atypical mycobacteria; Mycobacterium abscessus; Mycobacterium chelonae; Mycobacterium fortuitum; Mycobacterium marinum; Nontuberculous mycobacteria; Rapidly growing mycobacteria; Skin and soft tissue infections