Osteomyelitis caused by Mycobacterium avium

Osteomyelitis due to M. avium is extremely rare and frequently fatal. The successful cure of an 11-year-old patient with multiple mycobacterial lesions in the pelvis and right humerus is reported. Although the mycobacteria were in vitro resistant to most antituberculous drugs a five-drug regimen was given over a total of 2 1/2 years. The accumulated streptomycin dose was 160 g but no adverse effects were noted. Streptomycin therapy was judged of major importance for the favourable outcome.