XXXX of the skin: A retrospective study of 25 cases.

@entity1 @entity4581 @entity281 @entity7665 @entity15539 @entity2762
BACKGROUND: Absence of a pathognomonic clinical picture and variable histologic findings often delay diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)-induced @entity281 , and antimicrobial therapy varies. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the clinical, microbiologic, and pathological findings of cutaneous NTM infections and response to different treatments. METHODS: Records of @entity1 with NTM infections of the skin confirmed by positive cultures or histologic findings were reviewed. Clinical, microbiologic, and epidemiologic data were collected and skin biopsy specimens were reassessed. RESULTS: The series included 25 cases, one diagnosed by histology and 24 by positive culture: 16 cases with @entity15539 , 3 of atypical @entity15539 without species identification, and one each with M chelonae, M xenopi, @entity7665 , M gordonae, and M fortuitum. One of 16 @entity1 with @entity15539 developed @entity2762 . Mean interval between clinical presentation and diagnosis was 7.1 months (range: 1-27.3 months). All isolates analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility pattern were sensitive to @entity4581 . LIMITATIONS: Limitations include methods of case collection, retrospective study, and relatively small number of @entity1 . CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of NTM should be confirmed by histology and bacteriology studies of tissue cultures. Strong clinical suggestion of @entity15539 infection warrants initial empirical treatment to prevent progression to @entity281 . The recommended treatment as indicated by the results of the in vitro susceptibility and clinical response is @entity4581 .
