-
International Journal of Dermatology Feb 2024Mycobacterium haemophilum has been increasingly found in severely immunocompromised patients but is scarcely reported in immunocompetent adults. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Mycobacterium haemophilum has been increasingly found in severely immunocompromised patients but is scarcely reported in immunocompetent adults.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed previous literature to identify studies on infection in immunocompetent adults. Articles reporting at least one case of M. haemophilum infection were included. We excluded articles involving patients who had immunosuppression-related diseases and routinely used glucocorticoids or immunosuppressants. We also reported a case of a young immunocompetent woman infected by M. haemophilum along the eyebrows, which was probably due to the use of an eyebrow pencil retrieved from a sink drain.
RESULTS
Twelve qualifying articles reporting M. haemophilum infection in immunocompetent adults were identified. Among them, most cases report skin lesions along the eyebrows, and the remaining had cervicofacial lymphadenitis, lesions on the arm or fingers, inflammation in the eyeballs, or ulceration in the perineal region. Most cases were caused by tattoos, make-up, injury, or surgical operation. For diagnosis, specialized tissue culture sensitivity was roughly 75%, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test sensitivity was approximately 89%. Triple antibiotic therapy for 3 to 24 months, or surgical excision was effective in controlling infection.
CONCLUSION
M. haemophilum infection should be considered if routine antibacterial and glucocorticoid treatments are ineffective against the disease, even in healthy adults. To definitively diagnose this infection, conditioned tissue culture or PCR testing is required. Treatment usually involves a combination of multiple antibiotics and, if necessary, surgical removal of infected tissue.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Mycobacterium haemophilum; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Lymphadenitis; Mycobacterium Infections; Inflammation
PubMed: 38058233
DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16874 -
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism Apr 2013To report 2 cases of skin nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) occurring in lupus patients and to systematically review the medical literature addressing skin NTM in lupus. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To report 2 cases of skin nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) occurring in lupus patients and to systematically review the medical literature addressing skin NTM in lupus.
METHODS
We reported 2 cases of skin NTM in lupus patients followed at the Toronto Lupus Clinic. We conducted a systematic review of the literature on NTM in lupus patients. Ovid Medline (1946 to March 12, 2012) and Embase (1980 to March 12, 2012) were searched for relevant publications.
RESULTS
Of the 1356 retrieved abstracts, 19 publications were identified and 25 cases of skin NTM were extracted. Skin presentations in this review ranged from papules, plaques, and nodules to ulcerative lesions and abscesses. Skin lesions occurred in the setting of active and inactive lupus and while patients were maintained on steroids and sometimes immunosuppressants. The pathogen species included Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium haemophilum, Mycobacterium kansasii, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium marinatum, and Mycobacterium szulgai. The duration of antimycobacterial drugs ranged from 3 to 12 months. Skin excision, drainage, and debridement might be required in some cases. Empirical monotherapy was used initially, and the final choice of antibiotics was based on the susceptibility determined in culture. Overall, the outcomes of the skin lesions resulted in either complete recovery or improvement.
CONCLUSIONS
A high index of suspicion in lupus patients is required to diagnose NTM, as the initial presentation of NTM can mimic lupus skin manifestations.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Skin Diseases, Infectious
PubMed: 23332736
DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2012.08.002