Cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae in a 95-year-old woman.

We present an interesting case of cutaneousMycobacterium chelonae in a 95-year-old woman.The lesion in question was localized to her rightarm; subsequent biopsy and culture studies wereconsistent with a mycobacterial infection. Historically,these infections are treated based on the immunologicstate of the patient. In this case, taking into accountthe age of our otherwise immunocompetent patient,a course of oral antibiotics was initiated. The patientwas unable to tolerate any oral regimens for longerthan several weeks. Remarkably, even in the absenceof recommended antibiotic therapy, the lesionclinically cleared over a course of 8 months.