Skin and soft tissue infection caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Journal
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
1
Pages
96-102
Date Issued
2007
Author(s)
Abstract
SETTING: A medical centre in Taipei, Taiwan. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the trend and characteristics of patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) related skin and soft tissue infection. DESIGN: A total of 63 patients with culture-proven diseases were identified from January 1997 to December 2004. The medical records of all patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were infected with rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), 19 with Mycobacterium marinum, six with M. avium complex (MAC), five with M. kansasii and six with other species. Most patients presented with a protracted cutaneous lesion without systemic symptoms, and two thirds of the patients had a history of exposure. Seventy-three per cent of the lesions involved the extremities. Underlying illness with suppressed immunity was documented in 30.2% of the patients, and was most prevalent in patients with MAC (100%) and M. kansasii (60%). Of the patients, 62% underwent at least one surgical intervention, and 77.8% received treatment with different antimicrobial combinations. Most patients (86%) recovered completely. Granulomatous inflammation was found in 88.9% of biopsied tissue associated with M. marinum infection, 31.8% with RGM and 25.0% with MAC. CONCLUSION: A combination of surgery and antimicrobials cured most patients with microbiologically proven localised NTM skin and soft tissue infection. ? 2007 The Union.
SDGs
Other Subjects
amikacin; antiinfective agent; ciprofloxacin; clarithromycin; doxycycline; ethambutol; imipenem; macrolide; steroid; acquired immune deficiency syndrome; antibiotic sensitivity; article; biopsy; clinical article; clinical feature; connective tissue disease; controlled study; granulomatous inflammation; human; medical record; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium intracellulare avium; Mycobacterium kansasii; Mycobacterium marinum; priority journal; severe acute respiratory syndrome; skin infection; soft tissue infection; surgical technique; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Child; Child, Preschool; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Humans; Infant; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium Infections, Atypical; Retrospective Studies; Skin Diseases, Infectious; Soft Tissue Infections; Taiwan; Treatment Outcome
Type
journal article