A Case Report of a Novel Atypical Mycobacterial Infection

• DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.22.00292
• Publication Date: 2022-09-22T18:23:29Z
• Authors: C.M. McLaughlin; M. Schade; E. Cochran; K.F. Taylor
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Tenosynovitis; Mycobacterium avium Complex; Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Mycobacterium; 3. Good health

Case: A 76-year-old fisherman with a history of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery bypass grafting, and a previous ipsilateral elbow wound presented with a 1-year history of hand pain and swelling. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics were administered without improvement. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound demonstrated flexor tenosynovitis. Intraoperative cultures revealed Mycobacterium chimaera. The treatment course included 2 tenosynovectomies and a 1-year course of triple antimycobacterial therapy.

Conclusion: Nontuberculous mycobacteria infections should be considered in cases of indolent tenosynovitis. M. chimaera should be considered in patients with a history of cardiopulmonary bypass given its association with cardiopulmonary heater-cooler units.