Tuberculoid cutaneous infection due to a niacin-positive Mycobacterium chelonei

A case of cutaneous infection due to a niacin-positive Mycobacterium chelonei (previously called M. abscessus) on the dorsum of the hand of a professional cotton-classifier is reported from Hong Kong. The infection was probably directly acquired from handling contaminated raw cotton. The patient was successfully treated with combined anti-tuberculous drugs over a period of 1 year. Histologically, the skin lesion showed tuberculoid granulomas, in addition to abscesses.