Tenosynovitis caused by Mycobacterium marseillense, initially identified as Mycobacterium avium complex using AccuProbe and COBAS TaqMan

Disseminated disease caused by Mycobacterium marseillense: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Among numerous types of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, Mycobacterium avium complex is a related group of species, which can cause various diseases in humans. Mycobacterium marseillense is a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex, which accounts for only a small proportion of species, but causes rare diseases affecting the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, and tendon sheath. So far, very few cases have been reported.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 76-year-old male of peculiar skin infection. Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing and bacterial culture of skin secretions revealed M marseillense. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first patient diagnosed with disseminated M marseillense infection. Here, we identified only 8 other reports of patients with M marseillense infection.

DIAGNOSES

Disseminated M marseillense infection.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with clarithromycin, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and ethambutol.

OUTCOMES

The skin lesions of the patient showed significant improvement, and his pruritus and limb pain were notably reduced after 7 months of follow-up.

LESSONS

Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing may be a useful tool to diagnose M marseillense infection, but the results should be confirmed by culture and mycobacterial identification.

A cold-blooded tiptoer: non-resolving cellulitis in an immunocompromised patient

Mycobacterium haemophilum is a nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) with a predilection for skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) in the immunocompromised host. We report a case of disseminated M haemophilum infection initially presenting as a nonresolving subacute cellulitis of bilateral lower extremities. Genetic sequencing was used for final identification, while a commercially available polymerase chain reaction test returned a false-positive result for Mycobacterium intracellulare. Consequently, we highlight the importance of M haemophilum as a major differential diagnosis of SSTI in the immunocompromised host and the need for careful interpretation of rapid diagnostic tests.