Atypical mycobacterial cutaneous infection caused by mycobacterium abscessus complex: An unusual presentation masquerading actinomycosis

Abstract

Atypical mycobacterial infections are caused by mycobacteria other than those from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Mycobacterium leprae. They are ubiquitous, aerobic, nonmotile, and acid-fast bacilli seen in soil and water. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old married female who presented with multiple painful pus-filled lesions over both the breast, abdomen, and back associated with yellow-colored discharge for 6 months. Tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of atypical mycobacteria which on further investigation with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight isolated Mycobacterium abscessus species.

Keywords

• atypical mycobacteria
• matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight
• mycobacterium abscessus complex
• tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction