AUTHOR=Matic Sladjana , Teodosic Valerija , Zagorac Slavisa 

TITLE=Mycobacterium chelonae hand infection following acupuncture: a case report and literature review

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1482236

DOI=10.3389/fmed.2024.1482236

ISSN=2296-858X

ABSTRACT=<p>Hand infection caused by atypical mycobacteria is an uncommon condition. We present a case of hand infection caused by <italic>Mycobacterium chelonae</italic> in a patient who had undergone acupuncture. The clinical features, treatment, and outcome are described. Biopsy and cultures are essential for the diagnosis because <italic>Mycobacterium chelonae</italic> is a rare cause of human infection and is difficult to diagnose unless suspected. The patient was successfully treated through a combination of surgical excision, debridement, and antimicrobial therapy. We also reviewed the available literature to summarize the experience related to this infectious entity.</p>