Disseminated disease caused by Mycobacterium marseillense: A case report and literature review

Rationale: Among numerous types of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, Mycobacterium avium complex is a related group of species, which can cause various diseases in humans. Mycobacterium marseillense is a member of the Mycobacterium avium complex, which accounts for only a small proportion of species, but causes rare diseases affecting the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, and tendon sheath. So far, very few cases have been reported. Patient concerns: A 76-year-old male of peculiar skin infection. Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing and bacterial culture of skin secretions revealed M marseillense. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first patient diagnosed with disseminated M marseillense infection. Here, we identified only 8 other reports of patients with M marseillense infection. Diagnoses: Disseminated M marseillense infection. Interventions: The patient was treated with clarithromycin, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and ethambutol. Outcomes: The skin lesions of the patient showed significant improvement, and his pruritus and limb pain were notably reduced after 7 months of follow-up. Lessons: Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing may be a useful tool to diagnose M marseillense infection, but the results should be confirmed by culture and mycobacterial identification.