[Osteoarthritis and tenosynovitis of the finger due to Mycobacterium intracellulare. A case report and review of the literature]

Abstract

The authors present one case of osteo-arthritis and tenosynovitis of the right forefinger due to Mycobacterium intracellulare, in a 61-year old woman. The treatment consists of a synovectomy of the finger's proximal interphalangeal joint and of the sheath of the flexor tendons and a drug regimen associating erythromycin and cotrimoxazole for 2 1/2 months. This therapy proves successful, as the patient is clinically cured. A literature review records 19 similar osteo-articular and peri-articular infections due to the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare group, reported during these last 25 years.