Mycobacterium abscessus Skin Infection Associated with Shaving Activity in a 75-year-old Man

• Main Authors: Hoon Choi, Yong Il Kim, Chan Ho Na, Min Sung Kim, Bong Seok Shin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea Geriatrics Society 2018-12-01
• Series: Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
• Subjects: Mycobacterium abscessus; Elderly
• Online Access: http://www.e-agmr.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.4235/agmr.18.0034

Mycobacterium abscessus comprises rapidly growing mycobacteria, and the clinical manifestations of M. abscessus skin infection include papule, nodule, ulcer, scar and mixed form. The cutaneous infections have been reported due to minor trauma, cosmetic therapy, acupuncture and disseminated infection. A 75-year-old man presented with pruritic diffuse various sized erythematous papuloplaques and pustules on the neck and chest for 2 months. The cutaneous lesions were spread around the wound of the shaving on the neck. The histopathologic findings were consistent with abscess showing infiltrations of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the dermis and negative findings were observed on immunohistochemical stain including acid-fast bacilli stain. One month later, mycobacterial culture result showed positive findings, and the pathogen was identified by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction with hybridization. The patient was treated with combination of clarithromycin and ethambutol for 5 months and there is no evidence of recurrence after 6 months of follow-up. Herein, we report a case of M. abscessus cutaneous infection through minor trauma caused by shaving in the elderly.