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Swapna A Mali, Tasneem B Doctor, Arun P Doshi, Rajesh Sharma
Hurkisondas Nurrotumdas Hospital, Girgaon, Mumbai, India
| Date of Web Publication | 1-Sep-2014 |
Correspondence Address:
Swapna A Mali
Flat No. 32, 7th Floor, Trimurti Building, Opposite to Sir JJ Post Office, Sir J. J. Hospital Campus, Byculla, Mumbai-400 008
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.139904
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 Abstract | | |
Mycobacterium chelonae is a rapidly growing mycobacteria, causes cutaneous, soft tissue, and rarely lung infections. Here we present a rare case of extensive infection of face at multiple sites by Mycobacterium chelonae, with an unusual presentation, diagnosed by using conventional methods.
Keywords: Mycobacterium chelonae, Facial tuberculosis, Atypical mycobacterial infection
How to cite this article:
Mali SA, Doctor TB, Doshi AP, Sharma R. Extensive infection of face by mycobacterium chelonae: An unusual presentation. Indian J Dermatol 2014;59:495-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Mali SA, Doctor TB, Doshi AP, Sharma R. Extensive infection of face by mycobacterium chelonae: An unusual presentation. Indian J Dermatol [serial online] 2014 [cited 2023 Sep 28];59:495-7. Available from: https://www.e-ijd.org/text.asp?2014/59/5/495/139904 |
What was known?
Mycobacterium cheolonae is rapid growing (Group IV) atypical mycobacteria (growth in 1-7 days) and can cause infections in Immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent people. Infections caused are Cutaneous infections (cervical skin, hand and leg), post operative infections and injection abscesses. (Face is very unusual site of infection).
| Introduction | |  |
Cutaneous infections by rapid growing atypical mycobacteria are being reported increasingly nowadays, especially in immunocompromised patients or patients with underlying diseases. Among rapid growing mycobacteria Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium abscessus are reported commonly. These organisms are probably transmitted by water, dust, aerosol or unsterile injections. Postoperative infections and injection abscesses are commonly reported. In cutaneous infections, cervical skin, hand and leg are the common sites. Face is a very unusual site of infection. Here, high clinical suspicion of atypical mycobacterial infection is important because these bacteria do not respond to the first-line antikoch's treatment, and even may not respond well to the second-line antimycobacterial treatment. [1]
| Case Report | | |
A 48-year female presented with complaints of generalized edema, generalized weakness, mild to moderate fever without chills since 2-3 weeks.
The patient had history of trauma by unsterile blade over her face and neck 1 year back. The injuries were in the form of abrasions and were all over neck, cheek as well as forehead [Figure 1]a-c]. These injuries never healed completely. She was subscribed treatment orally, topically. But there was no improvement and things got worsened after her intralesional treatment. She lost appetite and weight, and due to facial lesions her face was also disfigured. Her lesions were from 1×1 to 3×3 cm, tender, inflamed, indurated, and discharging seropurulent fluid. Gram staining of aspirate from lesions revealed no organism; Ziehl-Neelsen staining showed abundant acid fast bacteria. Blood agar [Figure 2] and Lowenstein Jensen media showed growth of cream-white-colored colonies in 3-4 days. MacConkey agar also showed growth of acid fast bacilli. The rapidly growing bacteria was identified by nitrate reduction and aryl sulfatase test. It was differentiated from Mycobacterium fortuitum by sensitivity to polymixin B 300 unit disc on blood agar [Figure 3]. [1] There was no zone of inhibition around the polymixin B disc. Mycobacterium chelonae was differentiated from Mycobacterium abscesses by a positive citrate test and inability to grow in 5% NaCl. [2]
Sensitivity was carried out as per CLSI (M24) [3] guidelines for rapidly growing mycobacteria by MIC break point testing. Drugs used were cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, cefoxitin, amikacin, doxycycline, clarithromycin, linezolid, imipenem, cefepime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, minocycline, and tobramycin.
M. chelonae was sensitive to ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, cefoxitin, amikacin, doxycycline, linezolid, imipenem, and tobramycin while it was resistant to cotrimoxazole,, clarithromycin, cefepime, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ceftriaxone, and minocycline.
The patient was started with levofloxacin, linezolid, and amikacin. The patient showed considerable improvement after 3 weeks, treatment being continued.
| Discussion | | |
Various cases of cutaneous atypical mycobacterium infection have been reported of Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium fortuitum, in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. [3],[4] Mycobacterium fortuitum is reported from injection abscess, postoperative infections. [4],[5] While cases of Mycobacterium chelonae infection are reported from postoperative wound infections and a case from open fracture, [6],[7] M. chelonae has been associated with prosthetic valve endocarditis and central line infections. It can cause keratitis in contact lens wearers and wound infection after ocular surgery, including LASIK surgery or postcataract lens replacement surgery. [8],[9]
M. chelonae is associated with skin, bone, and soft tissue infections. It is not transmitted from person to person but is acquired from the environment. The route of infection for atypical mycobacteria is inoculation in the cutaneous infections and inhalation in the pulmonary infections.
In our case, the route of infection could be either primary trauma by unsterile blade or intralesional injections. Such extensive infection in the form of multiple sites over face and neck is rarely reported. Diagnosis of atypical mycobacterial infection and sensitivity is of utmost importance to prevent long-term morbidity in patients.
| References | | |
| 1. | Piersimoni C, Scarparo C. Extrapulmonary infections associated with nontuberculous mycobacteria in immunocompetent persons. Emerg Infect Dis 2009;15:1351-8. 
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| 2. | Clinical Microbiology Proficiency Testing. Available from: http://www.cmpt.ca. [accessed on 2010 Feb 21].
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| 3. | Jesudason MV, Gladstone P. Non tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from clinical specimens at a tertiary care hospital in south India. Indian J Med Microbiol 2005;23:172-5.
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| 4. | Sethi S, Sharma M, Ray P, Sing M, Gupta A. Mycobacterium fortuitum wound infection following laproscopy. Indian J Med Res 2001;113:83-4.
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| 5. | Devi DR, Indumati VA, Indira S, Prabhu PR, Shridharan D, Belwadi MR. Injection site abscess due to Mycobacterium fortuitum: A case report. Indian J Med Microbiol 2003;21:133-4.
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| 6. | Rajini M, Prasad SR, Reddy RR, Bhat RV, Vimala KR. Postoperative infection of laproscopic surgery wound due to Mycobacterium chelonae. Indian J Med Microbiol 2007;25:163-5.
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| 7. | Kwan K, Ho ST. Mycobacterium chelonae and Mycobacterium fortuitum infection following open fracture: A case report and review of literature. Indian J Med Microbiol 2010;28:248-61.
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| 8. | Sudesh S, Cohen EJ, Schwartz LW, Myers JS. Mycobacterium chelonae infection in a corneal graft. Arch Ophthalmol 2000;118:294-5.
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| 9. | Freitas D, Alvarenga L, Sampaio J, Mannis M, Sato E, Sousa L, et al. An outbreak of Mycobacterium chelonae infection after LASIK. Ophthalmology 2003;110:276-85.
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What is new?
Face is very unusual site of infection in this case. Similar cases have not
been found in reviewed case reports. The patient had a history of lesions since
years and possibility of not getting appropriate treatment cannot be ruled out.
Thus, diagnosis of atypical mycobacteria is important now days, otherwise the
infection could result in adverse prognosis.
[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3] |
