Treatment strategy for skin and soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria following various procedures

Background The early diagnosis and treatment of skin soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are important, especially as with rapidly growing (RGM) rare difficult to diagnose treat. Recently, we identified 22 cases NTM infections; in this study, suggest strategies analyzing the demographic characteristics progress these patients. Methods A retrospective study patients from 2009 2019 was conducted. To identify infections, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) staining, Gram polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cultures were performed. Empirical a combination antibiotics or surgery performed; species identification drug susceptibility tests performed Korean National Tuberculosis Association. final regimen determined after obtaining test results. Results mean incubation time 4.32±2.88 weeks. RGM detected mycobacterial 21 results AFB staining negative all patients, although PCR positive for one patient. Fourteen hospitalized intravenous surgery. Treatment combined oral maintained 5.41±1.85 months. Conclusions unusual clinical manifestations make them diagnose. Suspicion based on presentation detailed examination should be followed proper involving multiple Keywords: Nontuberculous mycobacterium, Skin infection, strategy