MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONAE

Course overview

MYCOBACTERIUM CHELONAE IS A NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIUM (NTM), WHICH IS CLASSIFIED AS RAPIDLY GROWING MYCOBACTERIUM (RGM), CLASS IV IN THE RUNYON CLASSIFICATION. M. CHELONAE IS UBIQUITOUS IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND HAS BEEN FOUND IN SOIL, WATER, AND AQUATIC ANIMALS. M. CHELONAE GROWS OPTIMALLY AT 30-32 C AND MAY HAVE A LONG INCUBATION PERIOD. IT IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH SKIN AND SOFT TISSUE INFECTIONS, ESPECIALLY INFECTIONS OF THE EXTREMITIES (CELLULITIS, ABSCESSUS). THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS INFECTIONS CAUSED BY M CHELONAE AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.