Two Cases of Cutaneous Mycobacterium szulgai Infection

Abstract

Although nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is often thought of as a pulmonary disease, it can manifest on the skin in rare cases. In this report, we describe two cases of cutaneous Mycobacterium szulgai that presented as nonhealing rashes that were initially thought to be caused by bacterial cellulitis but did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics. In both cases, the rash began on the upper extremities. We believe that these cases will be of interest as they demonstrate a rare cutaneous infection and an unusual presentation for NTM. It is important to consider NTM, and M. szulgai specifically, in an immunocompromised patient with a nonhealing rash and initiate appropriate diagnostic studies.