Mycobacterium malmoense infections in immunocompetent patients

While Mycobacterium malmoense infections were originally restricted to nort hern Europe, there has been an increasing number of reports of cases of inf ection in other countries. Two cases of infections due to Mycobacterium mal moense in immunocompetent patients in Germany are presented. In both cases a presumptive diagnosis of tuberculosis was established initially. Mycobact erium malmoense was cultured after a long incubation period (6-8 weeks). Th e patients were successfully treated with a triple regimen consisting of ri fampicin, ethambutol and clarithromycin. The epidemiology and difficulties in diagnosis of Mycobacterium malmoense infection are discussed.