[Diseases caused by atypical mycobacterial]

Infections having atypical mycobacteria are occurring more frequently for 2 main reasons. First there are the disturbances of the immunity system, whether due to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or the result of therapeutic measures taken against malignant processes, other diseases or after organ transplantation. Second, travel and free-time activities increase the risk of an infection. In many cases such infections become localized on the skin, but can also develop changes in the lungs, depending on the patient's occupation. For this reason we provide a review of the new literature on the microbiology of mycobacteria as well as on the symptoms of diseases of the skin and other organs which are caused by atypical mycobacteria, such as swimming pool granuloma or Buruli ulcer.