Tsukamurella infections. Case report and literature review.

SUMM. The genus Tsukamurella belongs to the family Nocardiaceae, and is an environmental saprophyte. The type species is Tsukamurella paurometabola. Its microbiological identification and differentiation from the other species containing mycolic acids can be difficult. There has been a few cases of human infections reported, usually in patients with special conditions, such as chronic lung pathology, immunosuppression (leukemia, solid tumors, maybe HIV-infection) or the long-term use of indwelling catheters. The treatment of choice, despite the lack of adequate guidelines, is an antibiotherapy combining a beta-lactam and an aminoglycoside; catheter removal appears to be essential for cure.