Mycobacterium chelonei: report of a case of septicemia and review of the literature.

Mycobacterium chelonei was originally included in group IV of Runyon's classification of "anonymous" or "atypical" mycobacteria. Although a frequent contaminant without clinical significance, this organism has definite pathogenic potential. A compromised host with M. chelonei septicemia and disseminated candidiasis is described. A review of the literature on M. chelonei human infections is also presented.