Isolated cutaneous Mycobacterium avium complex infection in AIDS

A 38‐year‐old woman, known to be HIV‐antibody‐positive for 2 months, presented with a progressive swelling of the right thigh of 1‐month duration. She had no history of trauma or breaking of the skin. She suffered from oral candidiasis, but had no previous AIDSdefining illness. She had no systemic symptoms such as pulmonary symptoms, weight loss, organ enlargement, or fever. Her laboratory tests were unremarkable, except for a CD4 count of 115/mm3. On examinafion, an ulcerated, fluctuating 3‐cm mass with surrounding erythema was noted with only a small volume of purrulent discharge. A punch biopsy, showing a necrotizing inflammation of the hypodermis without granulomas, and a swab and two blood cultures (Isolator 10, DuPont, Wilmington, DE, USA) were performed. The patient was discharged with a diagnosis of a bacterial abscess and treated with pristinamycin, 1 g t.i.d., and local wound care. One month later, the ulceration persisted, but the inflammation and purulent discharge had disappeared. Because direct examination of a Ziehl‐Neelsen stained specimen had revealed acid‐fast bacilli, later identified as Mycobacterium avium complex, the therapy was changed to clarithromycin, 2 g b.l.d., given for 3 months, complete healing was obtained without incision and drainage. She was given rifabutine, 300 mg once daiiy, 7 months later as her CD4 cell count became <100/mm”, No relapse had occurred after a 18‐month follow‐up.