Atypical mycobacteria, widely distributed in
nature, are
opportunistic infection strain, rare pathogen in immunocompetent
patients. Recently, the increase of invasive cosmetic
treatment and
surgery has increased the
infection of
atypical mycobacteria. We
report a case of cutaneous
infection by
Mycobacterium fortuitum and
Mycobacterium intracellulare that occurred after a fat
graft. A 62-year-old
female patient presented painful, erythematous nodules and purulent discharge on her
face after a fat
graft. A
skin biopsy and
culture were performed.
Polymerase chain reaction-hybridization to identify
mycobacterium other than
tuberculosis revealed M. fortuitum and M. intracellulare. The
patient was treated with
clarithromycin,
rifampicin, and
ethambutol for 1 month after excision and
drainage of
pus, after which the
skin lesions improved. In cases of refractory cutaneous
infection after an invasive cosmetic
procedure, atypical mycobacterial
infection should be suspected.