Cutaneous nonpulmonary Mycobacterium chelonei infection. Successful treatment with sulfonamides in an immunosuppressed patient.

A 52-year-old man, who had received immunosuppressive therapy for four years after renal transplantation, had a deep-set skin infection in his thigh caused by Mycobacterium chelonei. In vitro studies indicated that the organism was resistant to antimycobacterial agents but potentially sensitive to high-dose sulfonamide therapy. Repeated surgical excisions failed to eradicate the infection, as documented by histopathologic examination. The combination of a reduced dose of immunosuppressive medication and the administration of high-dose sulfonamide therapy resulted in clinical recovery.