Nasal Septal Perforation and Widespread Skin Lesions Caused by Mycobacterium chelonae Infection Mimicking Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Abstract

Mycobacterium chelonae, a rapidly growing mycobacterium found in the natural environment, is known to cause localized lesions in the skin, soft tissue, and bone through traumatic inoculation, but widespread lesions are uncommon. We herein report an immunocompromised 79-year-old man suspected of having polyangiitis granulomatosis due to weight loss, epistaxis, and nasal crusts with impending septal perforation who was subsequently diagnosed with mucocutaneous and bone disease caused by widespread M. chelonae infection. Given these findings, clinicians should be aware of the tendency to develop unusual widespread lesions in immunocompromised patients, which can present a clinical picture similar to systemic vasculitides, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis.