Atypical Mycobacterial Cutaneous Infection Caused by Mycobacterium abscessus Complex

Abstract

Atypical mycobacterial infections are caused by mycobacteria other than those from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Mycobacterium leprae. They are ubiquitous, aerobic, nonmotile, and acid-fast bacilli seen in soil and water. Here, we report the case of a 31-year-old married female who presented with multiple painful pus-filled lesions over both the breast, abdomen, and back associated with yellow-colored discharge for 6 months. Tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction revealed the presence of atypical mycobacteria which on further investigation with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight isolated Mycobacterium abscessus species.