Mycobacterium chelonae

Mycobacterium chelonae is a fast-growing nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes pulmonary infections as well as infections of human skin, soft tissue, and bone tissue (Kumar C et al. 2021; Ryskova L et al. 2023; Uslu U et al. 2019).

Infections with M. chelonae are still relatively rare. They should be considered in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients with longstanding skin lesions that do not respond to standard antibiotic treatment. Most have a long history of chronic wounds. Despite the increasing incidence of such infections, patients are often misdiagnosed.

Tissue analysis for mycobacterial culture and histopathologic examination are required for diagnosis.

For disease caused by M. chelonae, therapy for 12 months after cultural sputum conversion is recommended with clarithromycin in combination with an antibiotic that is effective in vitro. In general, the pathogen is sensitive to tobramycin, linezolid, and clarithromycin; the majority (75%) are also sensitive to amikacin and moxifloxacin (Griffith DE et al. 2007). For pulmonary infections, the duration of therapy should be an additional 12 months after the first negative culture.

1. Griffith DE et al. (2007) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 175: 367-416.
2. Kumar C et al (2021) Skin and soft-tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria: An overview. Int J Mycobacteriol 10:293-300.
3. Ryskova L et al. (2023) A Rare Case of Osteomyelitis of an Ankle Caused by Mycobacterium chelonae. Antibiotics (Basel) 12(:97.
4. Uslu U et al. (2019) Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Mycobacterium chelonae: More Common Than Expected? Acta Derm Venereol 99:889-893.