Atypical Mycobacteria: an Unusual Cause of Breast Abscess

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative organism of peripherally situated breast abscesses. A high proportion of anaerobic bacteria are isolated in subareolar breast abscesses, especially in the presence of underlying duct ectasia. Other causative organisms include enterococci, streptococci, fungi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Any other causative organisms are extremely rare. A case of disseminated soft tissue infection, including breast abscess due to Mycobacterium chelonei, has been reported in an immunocompromised patient. 2 We report a case of an isolated breast abscess caused by this atypical mycobacterium in an apparently immuno-competent patient. We believe this is the first report of its kind in the Saudi literature.