Disseminated subcutaneous Mycobacterium fortuitum infection in a dog

J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1995 Jan 1;206(1):53-5.

Abstract

A 15-month-old 27.7-kg sexually intact male Doberman Pinscher was examined because of multiple subcutaneous abscesses on the neck, trunk, and limbs that developed 2 months after a dog bite and were refractory to antibiotic treatment. Incubation of a biopsy specimen at 37 C on a Lowenstein-Jensen agar slant for 8 days yielded growth of a Runyon's Group IV mycobacterium, and disseminated subcutaneous Mycobacterium sp infection was diagnosed. The organism was identified as M fortuitum, and was susceptible to amikacin, doxycycline, cefoxitin, minocycline, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, and sulfisoxazole. Lesions resolved after 8 months of treatment with doxycycline (5 mg/kg of body weight, PO, q 12 h). The cause of dissemination was unknown; however, delay in debridement of the bite wound and corticosteroid use in initial wound management may have potentiated dissemination.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Abscess / veterinary*
  • Animals
  • Bites and Stings / complications
  • Bites and Stings / drug therapy
  • Bites and Stings / veterinary
  • Dexamethasone / adverse effects
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / microbiology*
  • Dogs
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / veterinary*
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / drug effects
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / veterinary*
  • Tetracycline / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Dexamethasone
  • Tetracycline
  • Doxycycline