Fatal Disseminated Mycobacterium chelonae Infection in an Immunocompromised Host--A Unique Presentation

Disseminated disease due to rapidly growing non tuberculous mycobacteria especially in the immunocompromised host is being increasingly reported. The usual manifestations of disease being skin and soft tissue infection, post operative wound infection and pulmonary disease. We present a case of a disseminated infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae with features of chronic meningitis and knee joint arthritis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus on systemic steroids and mycophenolate. M chelonae was isolated from both synovial and cerebrospinal fluid and anti microbial therapy was initiated as per sensitivity results. However the patient's clinical condition continued to worsen and she succumbed to her illness.