A patient with Hodgkin disease is feeling bad, so he visits his physician. The physician's clinical examination reveals submandibular lymphadenitis, subcutaneous nodules, painful swellings, ulcers progressing to abscesses, and draining fistulas. What organism is probably producing these symptoms?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are consistent with infection caused by Mycobacterium haemophilum, a slow-growing mycobacterium that is known to cause lymphadenitis, skin nodules, abscesses, and fistulas in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with Hodgkin disease. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a recognized cause of lymphadenitis, but it is associated with the development of caseating granulomas rather than abscesses and fistulas. Mycobacterium avium and M. gordonae are nontuberculous mycobacteria that can cause lymphadenitis and skin infections, but they are not typically associated with the development of abscesses and fistulas.

A Patient with Hodgkin Disease Is Feeling Bad, So He