Sporotrichoid cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium chelonei

Extensive cutaneous lesions that simulated sporotrichosis developed in a patient. Mycobacterium chelonei, a facultative pathogen that exists as a saprophyte in the environment and rarely produces clinical disease in humans, grew from culture of biopsy material. There was no evidence of visceral involvement, and the lesions healed spontaneously within six months.