Atypical waves: nonsporotrichoid Mycobacterium marinum skin infection in an immunocompromised scuba diver
Abstract
A 58-year-old man presented with an enlarging painful ulcer on his left medial knee. He had a history of psoriatic arthritis, treated with methotrexate and adalimumab for the last 5 years. He had travelled to over 20 countries in the past 2 years, and his hobbies included scuba diving and seawater/freshwater swimming. He recalled freshwater swimming in a cave lake in Brazil 1 year prior. Subsequently, he developed small erythematous papules on each knee with rapid resolution on the right knee. The left knee lesion slowly enlarged, and he sought medical attention in Ireland 9 months later. He received antibiotics and topical steroids, and was switched from adalimumab to infliximab for a presumed diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. The lesion's growth accelerated over 8 weeks, leading to an acute presentation to the Emergency Department with severe pain and limited mobility. On examination, he had a 20 × 10 cm erosive plaque on his left knee with an exudative base and a ragged erythematous edge. He also had a 2.5 × 2 cm ulcerative lesion on his right flank and a hyperpigmented patch on his right knee. He denied fevers or systemic symptoms. Interferon-γ release assay was positive. A skin biopsy from the left leg demonstrated ulceration, mixed inflammation and underlying dermal necrosis. Necrotizing granulomas were seen, and both auramine and Ziehl-Neelsen stains were positive for abundant acid-fast bacilli. Skin biopsy from the right flank showed similar findings. A…
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