JDVI (Journal of General Procedural Dermatology & Venereology Indonesia) (Aug 2015)

Atypical mycobacterial infection mimicking carbuncle in an elderly patient: A case report

  • Terlinda Barros,
  • Lili Legiawati,
  • Shannaz Nadia Yusharyahya,
  • Sri Adi Sularsito,
  • Imelda Wihadi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.19100/jdvi.v1i1.7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 1
pp. 32 – 35

Abstract

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Background: Atypical mycobacterium infection occurs under certain skin conditions, namely the disruption of skin integrity and mucous membranes accompanied by the reduction of cellular immunity. However, atypical mycobacterial infection in elderly patients is rarely reported. Case: A 64 years old male patient, complained of red lumps on the upper-backfor a month, accompanied by mild fever and minimal pain. Three months before, the patient had accupuncture on the neck and upper back. Physical examination showed multiple miliar to lenticular sized papules and pustules on an erythematous-violaceus base with hard and immobile palpable nodes and infiltrate. After clinical and laboratory workup, the patient was diagnosed withcarbuncle with Candida spp colonization. The treatment consisted of systemicantibiotics and topical antifungals. There was no clinical improvement after 3 weeks. Histopathology and laboratory results suggested atypical mycobacterium infection. Discussion: Atypical mycobacterium infection should be considered in elderly patients with skin and soft tissue infections that show no clinical improvement tostandard therapy.

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