Mycobacterium vulneris is a rarely identified, fast-growing (RGM), nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that can cause infections in both healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
Fast-growing mycobacteria (RGM) are increasingly recognized as potential pathogens. RGM, particularly Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium fortuitum, and Mycobacterium chelonae, have been identified in both pulmonary and extrapulmonary infections, including skin, soft tissue, and wound infections.
Mycobacterium vulneris belongs to the M.aviuim complex and was primarily isolated from a lymph node and an infected wound after a dog bite (van Ingen J et al. 2009). This extrapulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients suggest a high level of virulence.
Microbiologically, the isolates are characterized by a nucleotide sequence in the 16S rRNA gene that is 99% consistent with Mycobacterium colombiense and the MAC-Q 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence. Sequence analysis of the hsp65 gene revealed 97% similarity to M. avium. The sequence of the rpoB gene showed 98% similarity to M. colombiense. These molecular results support a separate species status within the Mycobacterium avium complex.