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Bacterial infections

Cutaneous Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections Remain Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge in Germany

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A retrospective study of 94 cases of cutaneous non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTM) in Germany over a 24-year period has been conducted. The aim of the study was to characterize these infections, which remain a significant challenge for diagnosis and treatment. The research found that exposure to fish tanks was the dominant risk factor, with 76% of pathogens detected by nucleic acid amplification test and/or culture. The most common pathogen was Mycobacterium marinum, followed by M. abscessus/chelonae. Immunosuppression was associated with NTM other than M. marinum.

Key Takeaways:

  • 94 cases of cutaneous NTM infections were analyzed, with 71% of patients being male and a mean age of 50.
  • Exposure to fish tanks was identified as the dominant risk factor for NTM infections.
  • Pathogen detection was successful in 76% of cases, with Mycobacterium marinum being the most common pathogen (65%).
  • Immunosuppression was associated with NTM other than M. marinum.
  • Over 90% of patients were treated with oral antibiotics, with clarithromycin and rifampicin being the most common combination.
  • The mean duration of therapy was more than 4 months, with complications, adverse events, and relapses being rare.
  • The study highlights the need for standardized diagnostic procedures and therapeutic recommendations for cutaneous NTM infections.
  • The research was conducted over a 24-year period, from 2000 to 2024, at 17 different German University Hospitals and the Department of Dermatology of the University Hospital Cologne.

Statistics:

  • 94 cases of cutaneous NTM infections were analyzed.
  • 71% of patients were male, with 29% being female.
  • The mean age of patients was 50 years.
  • 76% of pathogens were detected by nucleic acid amplification test and/or culture.
  • Mycobacterium marinum was the most common pathogen, accounting for 65% of cases.
  • Over 90% of patients were treated with oral antibiotics.
  • Clarithromycin and rifampicin were the most common antibiotic combination.
  • The mean duration of therapy was more than 4 months.

Sources:

  • Cutaneous non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections: A retrospective study of 94 cases from Germany. JDDG, 2025.
  • University Medical Center Mainz.
  • Wiley-Blackwell. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1610-0387
  • Nicolai Deresz, Dept. of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany.

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