Another Infectious Villain

Incidence of cutaneous mycobacterial infections increased over 30 years in Olmstead County, Minnesota.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infect the skin, especially as a complication of traumatic injury. The Rochester Epidemiology Project studied the incidence and clinical characteristics of cutaneous NTM diagnosed in the previous 30 years at healthcare facilities or at autopsy in residents of Olmstead County in southern Minnesota.

Forty patients (23 female) had culture-proven NTMs associated with one or more clinical signs, such as ulcers, abscesses, or granulomas. Incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated using the age- and sex-specific estimates of the Olmstead County population, including census data, as a denominator. The overall sex- and age-adjusted incidence was 1.3 NTMs per 100,000 person-years. Incidence increased wit…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)