Disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae infection with multidrug resistance in a patient with panuveitis

We report the case of a 43-year-old immunosuppressed woman who presented with cellulitis of the lower limbs and multiple widespread subcutaneous nodules in a sporotrichoid distribution. Microbiological findings from skin biopsy confirmed Mycobacterium chelonae infection.     

Subcutaneous infection with Mycobacterium abscessus in a renal transplant recipient

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.     

SPOROTRICHOID CUTANEOUS INFECTION DUE TO MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONEI IN A RENAL TRANSPLANT PATIENT.

Atypical mycobacterial infections are becoming more common in dermatological practice due to increasing numbers of immunosuppressed patients. A case of cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonei infection with sporotrichoid spread in a renal transplant patient is described, and the current literature regarding clinical spectrum, histopathology and management of infection with this pathogen is reviewed.     

Cutaneous mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor: a potential mimic of soft tissue neoplasms

A 55-year-old man with scleroderma treated with prednisone and etanercept presented with enlarging sporotrichoid nodules on the forearm. Microscopically, there were large circumscribed dermal and subcutaneous nodules of spindled and epithelioid cells, resembling a spindle cell neoplasm. Small foci of neutrophils were also present, and a subsequent Ziehl-Neelsen stain highlighted beaded acid-fast bacilli in the interstitium. Tissue culture demonstrated Mycobacterium chelonae. Cutaneous mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor is an exceedingly rare lesion, with only 6 previously reported cases. Although these included patients with autoimmune disease receiving immunosuppressive therapy, this is the first case reported in association with a tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitor, etanercept. Furthermore, this represents the first mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor described in association with M. chelonae. Mycobacterial spindle cell pseudotumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous spindle cell proliferations, especially in immunocompromised patients.     

Cutaneous infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria: histopathological review of 28 cases. Comparative study between lesions observed in immunosuppressed patients and normal hosts

To evaluate the histopathological features observed in patients with cutaneous infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and to compare the histopathological patterns observed in immunosuppressed patients and normal hosts. Twenty-eight biopsy specimens corresponding to 27 patients with cutaneous infections due to NTM were reviewed. Eighteen biopsies corresponded to normal hosts (14 Mycobacterium marinum, 2 Mycobacterium chelonae, 1 Mycobacterium terrae and 1 Mycobacterium gordonae) and 10 biopsy specimens were obtained from 9 immunosuppressed patients (3 Mycobacterium chelonae, one of which had two biopsies, 1 Mycobacterium abscessus, 2 Mycobacterium kansasii, 1 Mycobacterium marinum, 1 Mycobacterium avium complex and 1 Mycobacterium simiae). A panel of histopathological features was evaluated by two independent observers in each biopsy specimen. Epidermal changes (acanthosis, pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, exocytosis) were mainly observed in M. marinum infections. In immunosuppressed patients the infiltrate tended to be deeper, involving the subcutaneous tissue (100%) with a more diffuse distribution and constant abscess formation. A marked granulomatous inflammatory reaction was observed in 83% of immunocompetent and in 60% of immunosuppressed patients. In immunosuppressed patients a relationship between the chronic evolution of the disease and granuloma formation was demonstrated. A diffuse infiltrate of histiocytes with occasionally foamy appearance was noted in three biopsy specimens from three patients with AIDS. Acute and chronic panniculitis was detected in 8 biopsy specimens. In one biopsy (M. chelonae) an acute suppurative folliculitis was observed. Different histopathological patterns can be noted in biopsy specimens from cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. The evolution of the disease and the immunologic status of the host may explain this spectrum of morphological changes. Tuberculoid, palisading and sarcoid-like granulomas, a diffuse infiltrate of histiocytic foamy cells, acute and chronic panniculitis, non-specific chronic inflammation, cutaneous abscesses, suppurative granulomas and necrotizing folliculitis can be detected. Suppurative granulomas are the most characteristic feature in skin biopsy specimens from cutaneous NTM infections. Some histopathological patterns seem more prevalent in immunosuppressed patients.     

Sporotrichoid spread of cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonei infection

Atypical mycobacterial infections of the skin have increased in frequency in immunocompromised individuals in recent years. Such patients may follow a different clinical pattern from immunocompetent patients, often lacking a history of preceding trauma and presenting with multiple suppurating subcutaneous nodules. A sporotrichoid pattern of spread may occur with the species Mycobacterium kansasii and M. marinum but is rare with M. chelonei.     

Tuberculoid cutaneous infection due to a niacin-positive Mycobacterium chelonei

A case of cutaneous infection due to a niacin-positive Mycobacterium chelonei (previously called M. abscessus) on the dorsum of the hand of a professional cotton-classifier is reported from Hong Kong. The infection was probably directly acquired from handling contaminated raw cotton. The patient was successfully treated with combined anti-tuberculous drugs over a period of 1 year. Histologically, the skin lesion showed tuberculoid granulomas, in addition to abscesses.     

面部脓肿分枝杆菌感染2例

报告2例美容注射手术后面部感染脓肿分枝杆菌.例1.女,32岁.肉毒素注射1周后面部出现多发脓肿.例2.女,35岁.面部自体脂肪填充术2周后注射部位出现多发性脓肿.通过对2例患者脓液行各项检查鉴定出脓肿分枝杆菌,证实2例患者均为脓肿分枝杆菌感染.例1治疗3个月后基本痊愈,例2仍在随访中.     

Bilateral Sporotrichoid Lymphocutaneous Dermatosis in a Drug Abuser

Bilateral sporotrichoid mycobacterial cutaneous infection is unusual and has been reported in only three cases involving different species and with an unknown route of infection in the literature.We report a case of bilateral sporotrichoid dermatosis in an immunocompetent patient with a history of intravenous heroin injection before development of the skin lesions. Both special stain and culture of biopsy specimen were negative. Finally, Mycobacterium fortuitum was identified by a polymerase chain reaction-based method. The patient responded well to clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin therapy. This case represents an unusual primary cutaneous M. fortuitum infection manifested as bilateral sporotrichoid lesions of the limbs. Review of previous reported cases of bilateral sporotrichoid mycobacterial infection shows different isolated organisms and routes of infection to that found in our case.     

Relapse of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with an infected subcutaneous rheumatoid nodule

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a protozoal infection generally considered to be limited to the skin. In Israel, the disease is common in geographically defined areas and is caused predominantly by Leishmania major. Sporotrichoid subcutaneous spread has been reported but is uncommon. We describe a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, treated with methotrexate and prednisone, in whom numerous rheumatoid nodules concomitant with cutaneous leishmaniasis were found, mimicking sporotrichoid spread of the disease. In a rheumatoid nodule that was examined by electron microscopy, Leishmania parasites were found at intracellular and extracellular locations. This observation supports the hypothesis that cutaneous leishmaniasis parasites persist after clinical cure of the disease and may re-emerge as a result of immunosuppression.     

Severe Sporotrichoid Fish Tank Granuloma Following Infliximab Therapy

Mycobacterium marinum is an atypical mycobacterium usually found in non-chlorinated water. It rarely disseminates, except in the setting of a severely immunosuppressed patient, and usually follows a sporotrichotic type of distribution. We report the case of a 45-year-old man who had ankylosing spondylitis and was receiving infliximab and isoniazid for latent tuberculosis. The patient presented with a 5-month history of painful erythematous and suppurative nodules and abscesses on the right upper extremity. M. marinum was not isolated in cultures and histologic findings together with clinical examination provided evidence of sporotrichoid-like fish tank granuloma. The patient was treated with rifampin (rifampicin) and ethambutol for 8 months and responded satisfactorily while continuing to receive infliximab. In accordance with data in the published literature, isoniazid proved ineffective in preventing M. marinum infection in this patient. While mycobacterial complications of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) inhibitor therapy are well established, our case appears to be the first reported instance of M. marinum infection in a patient taking infliximab. As anti-TNFalpha agents become increasingly used for a variety of conditions, awareness of the potential infectious complications associated with use of these agents will be vital for clinicians.     

Skin infection caused by Mycobacterium avium

A patient with skin infection due to Mycobacterium avium is reported. A 9–year–old female had 10 subcutaneous nodules and two ulcers on the abdomen and legs. She had no medical history of systemic disease, skin disease or immunosuppressive therapy. Cultures of a biopsy specimen and of aspirated seropurulent fluid in nodules showed acid–fast bacteria, identified as M. avium by the DNA–DNA hybridization method. We treated her with a combination of surgery and the antibiotics, cycloserine, isoniazid and clarithromycin.     

Diagnostic odyssey of a cutaneous mycobacteriosis rare in central Europe

Cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium chelonae is an uncommon disease, although this atypical mycobacterium is an acid-fast bacillus ubiquitous in the environment. It is often misdiagnosed and treated as a fungal or common bacterial infection. We report a case of disseminated atypical mycobacterial skin infection of a 72-year-old woman who was treated with different topical and systemic antimycotic and antibiotic drugs over a period of 5 months without remarkable improvement. Eventually, repeated tissue cultures on special medium and performance of PCR led to the diagnosis of M. chelonae infection. The patient was treated successfully with oral clarithromycin within 8 weeks. In case of abscessing cutaneous infection, M. chelonae should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolonged disease when common antibiotics are not effective after 2-4 weeks of treatment.     

Disseminated cutaneous infection with Mycobacterium chelonae in a patient with steroid-dependent rheumatoid arthritis

Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium that is a normal commensal of water and soil. We report a case of a 61-year-old man with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and fibrosing alveolitis on long-term prednisolone who presented with a number of tender, red, subcutaneous nodules on his upper arms and a pustule on his left cheek. Histopathologic examination revealed dense neutrophilic collections within the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat with abscess formation. Long filamentous organisms were seen within these collections and were subsequently identified by special stains and PCR as Mycobacterium chelonae. Treatment was not possible as the patient developed bacteria bronchopneumonia before identification of the organism and he subsequently died. Post-mortem revealed no extra-cutaneous evidence of mycobacterium infection.     

Subcutaneous alternariosis

Alternaria species are common plant pathogens, but a rare cause of human infection. Previously reported cases of cutaneous alternariosis (Alternaria alternata) in both healthy and immunosuppressed hosts have been characterized by a chronic localized ulcerative eruption in exposed sites. Dermal granulomatous infiltration and variable epidermal changes, with hyphae in both the dermis and epidermis, are characteristic. We present a case with certain unique features. This is the first reported human infection with Alternaria dianthicola. In addition, our patient showed the unusual presentation of clinically noninflammatory subcutaneous nodules of the chest wall. The subcutaneous location of the granulomatous process may have been attributable to deep traumatic inoculation. The circumscribed nodular quality of the infection allowed a surgical therapeutic approach.     

Skin and soft tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria: comparison of clinical features, treatment, and susceptibility

OBJECTIVE: To compare the demographics, clinical features, susceptibility patterns, and treatment for skin and soft tissue infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae or Mycobacterium abscessus. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record review. SETTING: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. PATIENTS: All patients seen at our institution with a positive culture for M chelonae, M abscessus, or M fortuitum from skin or soft tissue sources between January 1, 1987, and October 31, 2004. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, therapeutic data, microbiological data, and outcomes. RESULTS: The medical records of 63 patients with skin or soft tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria were reviewed. Patients with M chelonae or M abscessus were older (61.5 vs 45.9 years, P<.001) and more likely to be taking immunosuppressive medications (60% vs 17%, P = .002) than patients with M fortuitum. Mycobacterium fortuitum tended to manifest as a single lesion (89% vs 38%, P<.001), while most M chelonae or M abscessus manifested as multiple lesions (62% vs 11%, P<.001). More patients with M fortuitum had a prior invasive surgical procedure at the infected site (56% vs 27%, P = .04). Patients with multiple lesions were more likely to be taking immunosuppressive medications than those with single lesions (67% vs 30%, P = .006). Seven patients failed treatment, several of whom were immunocompromised and had multiple comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Skin and soft tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria are associated with systemic comorbidities, including the use of immunosuppressive medications. There are significant differences in the demographic and clinical features of patients who acquire specific organisms, including association with immunosuppression and surgical procedures.     

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections of the skin: a retrospective study of 29 cases

The incidence of infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria has increased in recent years, due to a rise in dermatological procedures and a greater prevalence of immunosuppression in the general population. This study investigated the clinical and microbiological findings of non-tuberculous mycobacterial skin infections. The study population included 29 patients from whom non-tuberculous mycobacteria were cultured after isolation from skin biopsy materials, cutaneous abscesses or exudates. Clinical, microbiological and epidemiological data were collected from each patient. Eight patients were immunocompromised while 21 were not. Precipitating factors such as acupuncture, filler injection, surgical procedures and other traumatic events preceded infection in 13 (including 11 normal hosts and two immunocompromised hosts) of the 29 patients. Multiple skin lesions were present in eight patients (including three normal hosts and five immunocompromised hosts). In eight patients (including four immunocompromised hosts), symptoms were accompanied by tenosynovitis, osteomyelitis and myositis. Mycobacterium abscessus was isolated from nine patients, Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated from nine patients, Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from six patients, Mycobacterium marinum was isolated from two patients, a Mycobacterium avium complex member was isolated from two patients, and Mycobacterium haemophilum was isolated from one patient. Ten of the 24 cases caused by rapidly growing organisms (i.e. M. chelonae, M. abscessus and M. fortuitum groups) were precipitated by skin injuries such as acupuncture, filler infection and other medical procedures. Increases in skin medical procedures, including both acupuncture and esthetic interventions, explain the increasing incidence of these organisms. Immunocompromised patients tended to develop multiple skin lesions and deep tissue infections.     

Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after mesotherapy: preliminary report of 15 cases

BACKGROUND: Mesotherapy is an increasingly used technique which is currently causing several mycobacterial infections owing to contaminated substances being injected, and also to poor aseptic measures being held by nonprofessional practitioners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected 15 cases of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection after mesotherapy in a 6-month period. RESULTS: All patients were female with ages ranging from 19 to 52 years; the main substances injected were procaine and lecithin, and the time between mesotherapy and the appearance of the lesions varied between 1 and 12 weeks. Clinical lesions were mostly nodules and abscesses, which were localized in the abdomen and buttocks in the majority of cases. The main patient complaint was local pain but some presented with systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise. Biopsies reported granulomatous chronic inflammation in the majority of cases. Skin cultures were positive for NTM and Mycobacterium chelonae. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Mesotherapy not performed with quality controlled substances can be a predisposing factor for NTM infection.     

Phaeohyphomycosis caused by Coniothyrium

A 49-year-old immunosuppressed heart transplant recipient developed a superficial and subcutaneous granulomatous infection caused by Coniothyrium. The patient responded to a combination of surgical excision and antifungal agents. We review phaeohyphomycotic infections including this second report of a Coniothyrium infection.     

EBV-associated cutaneous plasmocytoma in a renal transplant patient

INTRODUCTION: Postransplant lymphoproliferative disorders are well known complications of solid organ transplant, usually associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). OBSERVATION: A 25 year old renal transplant patient presented with two subcutaneous nodules on the lower limb that appeared 3 years after a second renal transplantation. Biopsy of one nodule showed an EBV associated plasmocytoma located in the subcutaneous tissue. A complete systemic evaluation showed no evidence of extracutaneous involvement. The patient was treated with anti CD20 therapy (rituximab), and complete remission was achieved. DISCUSSION: Extranodular localisations of postransplant lymphoproliferative disorders are usually reported, but cutaneous localizations are rarely described. Histological presentation are various, but plasmocytoma-type is infrequent. Initial therapy of cutaneous EBV-associated postransplant lymphoproliferative disorders without extracutaneous involvement consists in reduction of the immunosuppression therapy and/or an antiviral treatment and prolonged surveillance. Treatment with monoclonal anti-CD20 antibodies (rituximab) is proposed.