title: Mycobacterial Musculoskeletal Infections.
abstract: Although less common as causes of musculoskeletal infection than pyogenic bacteria, both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria can infect bones and joints. Although tuberculous arthritis and osteomyelitis have been recognized for millennia, infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria are being identified more often, likely because of a more susceptible host population and improvements in diagnostic capabilities. Despite advances in modern medicine, mycobacterial infections of the musculoskeletal system remain particularly challenging to diagnose and manage. This article discusses clinical manifestations of musculoskeletal infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacteria. Pathogenesis, unique risk factors, and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cox Building, 5th Floor, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: John I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.affiliation: Mycobacterial Diseases Center, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cox Building, 5th Floor, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Rocío M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hurtado
authors.affiliation: Program in Musculoskeletal Infections, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cox Building, 5th Floor, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: sbnelson@mgh.harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Sandra B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D001170:Arthritis, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013717:Tenosynovitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014399:Tuberculosis, Spinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Nontuberculous mycobacteria; Osteomyelitis; Pott's disease; Septic arthritis; Tenosynovitis