Skin and soft tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria

Purpose of review: The aim of this article is to review skin and soft tissue infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), with a particular focus on recently published literature (2021-2022).

Recent findings: RGM are increasingly reported as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections, both in the community setting and as a cause of nosocomial outbreaks. Recent advances in molecular methods have expanded the number of species of RGM and resulted in increased diagnosis. New treatment options are under evaluation particularly for Mycobacterium abscessus , the most difficult-to-treat among RGM.

Summary: RGM are an uncommon cause of skin and soft tissue infections and a high clinical suspicion together with advanced laboratory facilities are required for diagnosis. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing are essential to drive appropriate treatment, which combines surgical debridement with prolonged antimycobacterial combination therapy.