Mycobacterium chelonae infection
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Synopsis

Mycobacterium chelonae is an atypical, rapidly growing mycobacterial organism that causes skin infections in immunocompetent patients. Infection typically follows trauma such as tattooing, piercing, surgery, liposuction, or subcutaneous injections. The skin lesions range from grouped red papules and nodules to disseminated cutaneous abscesses that may follow a linear or sporotrichoid distribution in immunosuppressed patients. Lesions tend to be painful and slow-growing and may heal spontaneously. Most cases are restricted to the skin but can spread to underlying soft tissue and bone. Pulmonary disease and disseminated disease occur rarely. Mycobacterium chelonae infections are uncommon, and most have been reported in young men, but true sex and age predilection are unknown.
Codes
ICD10CM:
A31.1 – Cutaneous mycobacterial infection
SNOMEDCT:
402981007 – Mycobacterium chelonae infection of skin (disorder)
A31.1 – Cutaneous mycobacterial infection
SNOMEDCT:
402981007 – Mycobacterium chelonae infection of skin (disorder)
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Mycobacterium abscessus and Mycobacterium fortuitum are often grouped with M. chelonae as the "M. fortuitum complex."
- Mycobacterium fortuitum has been associated with footbaths at nail salons.
- Mycobacterium abscessus must be differentiated by microbiologic studies.
- Mycobacterium marinum – associated with contaminated aquarium water.
- Mycobacterium ulcerans tends form large, solitary ulcers.
- Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex and Mycobacterium kansasii more commonly infect immunosuppressed patients.
- Lymphomatoid papulosis
- Sweet syndrome
- Erythema nodosum
- Erythema nodosum leprosum
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Last Updated:07/18/2023