Soft-tissue infection due to Mycobacterium smegmatis: report of two cases

J A Newton Jr; P J Weiss; W A Bowler; E C Oldfield 3rd

doi:10.1093/clind/16.4.531

Soft-tissue infection due to Mycobacterium smegmatis: report of two cases

Clin Infect Dis. 1993 Apr;16(4):531-3. doi: 10.1093/clind/16.4.531.

Authors

J A Newton Jr¹, P J Weiss, W A Bowler, E C Oldfield 3rd

Affiliation

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, Infectious Disease Division, Naval Hospital, San Diego, California 92134-5000.

PMID: 8513061
DOI: 10.1093/clind/16.4.531

Abstract

Mycobacterium smegmatis is an uncommon pathogen in humans. Fourteen cases of skin or soft-tissue infection due to M. smegmatis have been previously reported. We report two cases of posttraumatic M. smegmatis infection of the lower extremity. M. smegmatis infection produces chronic cellulitis with fistula formation that is most commonly a result of direct traumatic inoculation of contaminated material. Extensive surgical debridement followed by skin grafting has been necessary for cure in the majority of cases.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Cellulitis / drug therapy
Cellulitis / microbiology*
Cellulitis / surgery
Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
Debridement
Doxycycline / therapeutic use
Female
Humans
Leg Injuries / complications
Male
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / drug therapy
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology*
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / surgery
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / therapeutic use

Substances

Ciprofloxacin
Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
Doxycycline