Disseminated cutaneous Mycobacterium marinum infection in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

A 60-year-old woman with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was admitted to the hospital because of extensive subcutaneous abscesses developing on all limbs. The patient had an aquarium and kept tropical fish as pets. After repeated investigations, the diagnosis of Mycobacterium marinum was established from skin biopsy by PCR and culture. Long-term therapy with several drugs regimens had only a limited efficacy and was accompanied by severe adverse reactions. This report highlights the therapeutic problems posed by disseminated cutaneous M. marinum infection in the immunosuppressed host.