Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge
We report a rare case of chronic tenosynovitis of the upper extremity caused by Mycobacterium terrae, an infrequent and underdiagnosed pathogen. A 64-year-old man presented with persistent pain and swelling in the hand following a minor puncture wound. Despite multiple empirical treatments, includin...
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| Language: | English |
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American College of Physicians
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| Online Access: | https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1321 |
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| author | Alex Giannini Pietro Antonini |
| author_facet | Alex Giannini Pietro Antonini |
| author_sort | Alex Giannini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We report a rare case of chronic tenosynovitis of the upper extremity caused by Mycobacterium terrae, an infrequent and underdiagnosed pathogen. A 64-year-old man presented with persistent pain and swelling in the hand following a minor puncture wound. Despite multiple empirical treatments, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antifungals, the condition progressed over several months (Figure 1). Surgical intervention, histopathologic examination revealing granulomatous inflammation, and prolonged microbiological culture ultimately identified M terrae. Susceptibility-guided antimicrobial therapy resulted in complete clinical resolution. This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of M terrae infections and emphasizes the importance of considering atypical pathogens in cases of chronic tenosynovitis, especially when conventional therapies fail. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c010f46de5774d139a59cfc5e00fbbb8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2767-7664 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | American College of Physicians |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| spelling | doaj-art-c010f46de5774d139a59cfc5e00fbbb82025-08-20T03:39:29ZengAmerican College of PhysiciansAnnals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases2767-76642025-08-014810.7326/aimcc.2024.1321Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic ChallengeAlex Giannini0Pietro Antonini11Internal Medicine, Clinica Luganese Moncucco, Lugano, Switzerland2Internal Medicine and Tropical Diseases, Clinica Luganese Moncucco, Lugano, SwitzerlandWe report a rare case of chronic tenosynovitis of the upper extremity caused by Mycobacterium terrae, an infrequent and underdiagnosed pathogen. A 64-year-old man presented with persistent pain and swelling in the hand following a minor puncture wound. Despite multiple empirical treatments, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antifungals, the condition progressed over several months (Figure 1). Surgical intervention, histopathologic examination revealing granulomatous inflammation, and prolonged microbiological culture ultimately identified M terrae. Susceptibility-guided antimicrobial therapy resulted in complete clinical resolution. This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of M terrae infections and emphasizes the importance of considering atypical pathogens in cases of chronic tenosynovitis, especially when conventional therapies fail.https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1321 |
| spellingShingle | Alex Giannini Pietro Antonini Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases |
| title | Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge |
| title_full | Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge |
| title_fullStr | Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge |
| title_short | Chronic Tenosynovitis Caused by Mycobacterium terrae: A Case Report Highlighting a Diagnostic Challenge |
| title_sort | chronic tenosynovitis caused by mycobacterium terrae a case report highlighting a diagnostic challenge |
| url | https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/aimcc.2024.1321 |
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