Mycobacterium chelonae infection of the arm presenting in a renal transplant patient with history of calciphylaxis

Abstract

A renal transplant patient with a history of calciphylaxis presented with a 4 month history of tender suppurative nodules on the left arm. The patient was systemically well but the arm was swollen and painful. There was no history of injury to the arm. Incisional biopsy showed mycobacteria present on wade fite stains and culture grew mycobacterium chelonae. Calcification of vessels was seen throughout the biopsy consistent withe the history of calciphylaxis. Treatment of calciphylaxis had been with renal transplantation and parathyroidectomy and symptoms had resolved but vessel changes persist on histology. The patient admitted to having applied an oil purchased on the internet to this arm which claimed to treat calciphylaxis. Cultures of the oil and containers it was supplied in are in progress.L616393127 <br />