Cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium chelonae: Successful treatment with clarithromycin.

Introduction: Mycobacterium chelonae is an ubiquitous mycobacterium which is exceptionally pathogenic. It can cause localized skin infections which are difficult to treat because of multiple drug resistance. Case report: A 87-year-oid woman with bullous pemphigoid was treated with long-term prednisone and developed a skin infection due to M. Chelonae. Treatment with clarithromycin was successful, but relapse occurred 6 months after withdrawal of the antibiotic. Discussion: Clarithromycin is effective in single drug regimen for M. Chelonae infection, but the duration of treatment should be long when immunosuppression cannot be avoided.