Unresolving furunculosis in a diabetic patient: cutaneous Mycobacterium abscessus infection.

Dear Editor, Mycobacterium abscessus is a ubiquitous rapidly growing mycobacterium which is widespread in soil, water and dust. It is known to cause cutaneous infections in the form of furuncles, nodules and ulcers. Infections typically develop following trauma such as injections, acupuncture, operations and other penetrating injuries.1 We describe a diabetic patient who developed multiple furuncles over her abdomen due to an infection with M. abscessus from which several learning points are highlighted.