Chronic tenosynovial hand infection from Mycobacterium terrae

A 23-year-old healthy man suffered a puncture wound from the fin of a catfish. Chronic tenosynovitis subsequently developed. Synovectomy was performed and cultures yielded Mycobacterium terrae. This organism, usually considered nonpathogenic, has only rarely been associated with human disease. This case further supports the role of this organism as a potential human pathogen and further suggests that M terrae should be considered in aquatic-associated hand tenosynovitis.