Mycobacterial infections of the skin

Abstract

The globally widespread genus Mycobacterium consists of about 170 species of non-spore-forming, immobile, and obligatory aerobic rod bacteria. Most of them are not pathogenic. Others are optional human pathogens such as opportunistic pathogens. The classical mycobacterioses tuberculosis and leprosy continue to present dermatologists and other physicians with complex diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In 2016, Germany was one of the countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis, with around 6,000 cases. However, since 2014, the rate of newly infected individuals has risen again. In contrast, the number of leprosy cases has remained stable in Germany, at 0-10 cases per year in recent years. Among the non-tuberculous (atypical) mycobacterioses, swimming pool granuloma is the most common in Central Europe.