Abstract
The proportion of non-tuberculous mycobacteria to Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultivated in the laboratory has been recently increasing. Numerous skin and soft tissue infections have been reported, while osteomyelitis is reported very rarely. A delayed diagnosis can cause a wide range of bone destruction and joint contracture, which highlights the importance of early recognition of osteomyelitis. Here we report a case of ankle osteomyelitis caused by Mycobacterium abscessus and treatment failure due to delayed diagnosis.
Highlights
Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are defined as any Mycobacterium other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae
Osteomyelitis caused by NTM shows clinical features similar to those of tuberculous mycobacteria infections, including nonspecific symptoms, subacute progression, and delayed diagnosis due to difficult growth of the organism in culture [3]
We report a case of osteomyelitis in the ankle joint caused by Mycobacterium abscessus and treatment failure due to delayed diagnosis and a discussion of related cases
Summary
Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are defined as any Mycobacterium other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. Cases of skin and soft tissue infection caused by Mycobacterium abscesses were most often reported; cases of osteomyelitis have been reported very rarely [2]. Osteomyelitis caused by NTM shows clinical features similar to those of tuberculous mycobacteria infections, including nonspecific symptoms, subacute progression, and delayed diagnosis due to difficult growth of the organism in culture [3].
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