Cutaneous non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Mycobacteria cause diverse diseases affecting multiple organs in various individuals.
• Cutaneous non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections show a notable increase.
• NTM infections can manifest in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous NTM infections.
• To highlight the challenges in diagnosing and treating skin infections caused by NTM.
• To provide an overview of current knowledge on NTM skin diseases.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases.
• Inclusion of English-language publications on cutaneous NTM infections.
• Screening of references from review articles and WHO literature.

Main Results:

• Cutaneous mycobacterial disease presents with varied clinical features, often appearing benign.
• Chronic skin lesions unresponsive to standard antibiotics warrant consideration of mycobacterial infection.
• Diagnosis is complicated by the absence of rapid pathogen identification techniques.

Conclusions:

• Prompt consideration of mycobacterial disease is crucial for chronic, non-responsive skin lesions.
• Diagnostic challenges persist due to limitations in rapid identification methods.
• Empiric therapy for NTM infections may be ineffective, leading to prolonged treatment and potential adverse effects.