Atypical Mycobacterial Cutaneous Infections

Atypical mycobacterial infections have been a cause of steadily growing infections over the past decades, especially in immunocompromised patients. They are classified by their ability to produce pigment, growth rate, and optimal temperature. Mycobacterium marinum, M kansasii, and M avium-intracellulare are examples of slow-growing mycobacteria. M fortuitum, M chelonei, and M abscessus are examples of rapidly growing mycobacteria. Atypical mycobacteria are ubiquitous in the environment. No specific treatment guidelines exist but a multidrug regimen combined with surgical modalities is often used for therapy.