| Summary: | <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cellulitis caused by <it>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare </it>has rarely been described. <it>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare </it>is a rare cause of septic arthritis after intra-articular injection, though the causative role of injection is difficult to ascertain in such cases.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 57-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisone and azathioprine developed bilateral painful degenerative shoulder arthritis. After corticosteroid injections into both acromioclavicular joints, he developed bilateral cellulitis centered over the injection sites. Skin biopsy showed non-caseating granulomas, and culture grew <it>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare</it>. Joint aspiration also revealed <it>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare </it>infection.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although rare, skin and joint infections caused by <it>Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare </it>should be considered in any immunocompromised host, particularly after intra-articular injection. Stains for acid-fast bacilli may be negative in pathologic samples even in the presence of infection; cultures of tissue specimens should always be obtained.</p>
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