[Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare subcutaneous abscess after injections of interferon alpha in a patient treated for lymphoma].

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous involvement with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare is usually observed in disseminated disease but cutaneous infection alone without bacteraemia is uncommon. CASE REPORT: We report a case of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare subcutaneous abscess of the thigh in a 32-year-old woman with lymphoma. The lesion was treated with drainage, excision and chemotherapeutic agents. Inoculation was probably secondary to alpha interferon injections performed during one year. DISCUSSION: The review of the literature shows that isolated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare skin infections are rare, probably induced by traumatic percutaneous inoculation, frequently in immunocompromised patients. The pro-infectious effect of interferon alpha is considered. Treatment is unsatisfactory and surgical excision is often necessary.