Osteomyelitis and skin ulcers caused by Mycobacterium szulgai in an AIDS patient

Abstract

Mycobacterium szulgai is a ubiquitious non-tuberculous mycobacterium causing infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromized patients. Clinically mimicking pulmonary tuberculosis in most cases described, rarely other manifestations occur. Here we report the case of an AIDS patient with osteomyelitis of the hand and toe, accompanied by multiple cutaneous ulcers of the chest and forearm. The case highlights the unusual combination of osteomyelitis and skin ulcers without pulmonary infection and describes the likely cutaneous route of infection in a patient who keeps tropical fish.