ABSTRACT
Nontuberculous mycobacteria are playing an increasingly important role in human disease owing to higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance and immunodeficiency. These organisms cause a variety of cutaneous findings which are often misdiagnosed by the clinician. Compounding this problem is the fact that most mycobacteria require special culture conditions, which if not specifically requested, are frequently not used. Recognition of susceptible patients is imperative and is not limited to the immunocompromised. Successful treatment of mycobacterial infections requires knowledge of currently available and recommended antibiotics followed by tailoring of the antimicrobial regimen after sensitivity testing is performed.
Subject(s)
Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/pathology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/classification , Skin Diseases, Bacterial/pathology , Humans , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/microbiology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/pathogenicity , Skin Diseases, Bacterial/microbiologyABSTRACT
Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is associated with the development of psoriasis and related disorders, including psoriatic arthritis, dactylitis and enthesitis, and Reiter's syndrome. The etiologic mechanisms remain unclear but most likely represent a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Therapy for these diseases in the setting of HIV infection is often difficult not only because of their characteristically increased severity, but also because the use of conventionally effective immunosuppressive agents may be counterproductive in this patient population.
