Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Infection Manifesting as Multiple Areas of Lymphadenitis and Skin Abscess in the Preclinical Stage of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Intern Med. 2016;55(13):1787-91. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.6759. Epub 2016 Jul 1.

Abstract

A 37-year-old woman was admitted to a hospital due to a prolonged fever and a rash on her legs. She had systemic lymphadenitis and a skin abscess on her left leg. Pathological findings of a left leg skin biopsy revealed abscess formation with granulomatous dermatitis, Mycobacterium abscessus complex was cultured from the resected left supraclavicular lymph node, and disseminated M. abscessus complex infection was diagnosed. She was treated with combination treatment with antimicrobials and percutaneous drainage, and her clinical findings improved. Four months later, she developed acute lymphocytic leukemia. Leukemia is a risk factor for disseminated M. abscessus complex infection, even before developing leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / complications*
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymphadenitis / complications*
  • Lymphadenitis / diagnosis
  • Lymphadenitis / drug therapy
  • Lymphadenitis / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / complications*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / etiology*
  • Skin Diseases / complications*
  • Skin Diseases / diagnosis
  • Skin Diseases / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases / microbiology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents