MYCOBACTERIUM-KANSASII INFECTION IN A PATIENT PRESENTING WITH PORPHYRIA-CUTANEA-TARDA

Mycobacterium kansasii, an atypical mycobacterium, is an uncommon caus e of cutaneous and joint disease in immunocompetent patients. We repor t an unusual case of infection with this organism in a patient who ini tially presented with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), and who was noted also to have a crusted ulcer over the middle phalanx and swelling of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the light middle finger. The cut aneous ulcer healed with minocycline, but the joint disease required a combination of rifampicin end ethambutol before a therapeutic respons e was obtained.