Atypical hand infections

The diagnosis and treatment of an atypical hand infection present a distinc tive challenge for the hand surgeon. Infections caused by these uncommon or ganisms occur more often in immunocompromised patients. This article emphas izes the salient features of mycobacterial, nocardial, and fungal infection s of the hand. With an accurate and timely diagnosis, appropriate surgical and pharmacologic treatment may eradicate these unusual infections.