Disseminated Mycobacterium haemophilum causing granulomatous mastitis
We present the case of a 58-year-old female with celiac disease, obesity, and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who developed a rash on her left thigh which spread and progressed to her arms, face, and abdomen. A biopsy of the left forearm grew <i>Mycobacterium haemophilum</i>. Weeks after the diagnosis of the <i>M. haemophilum</i> skin infection, the patient underwent a screening mammogram which showed new masses in both breasts. A biopsy of a left breast mass revealed cystic granulomatous inflammation with scattered neutrophils and lymphocytes within fibroadipose tissue. PCR and sequencing from breast tissue and AFB culture confirmed <i>M. haemophilum</i>. The patient was also later diagnosed with sinonasal involvement. No underlying immunodeficiency has been identified. This case highlights dissemination of <i>M. haemophilum</i> to multiple sites including skin, breast, and sinonasal tissues in a diabetic patient who was not otherwise immunocompromised. To our knowledge, it is the first reported case of granulomatous mastitis caused by <i>M. haemophilum</i>.
Authors
- Lauren A. Duckworth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6866-6760)
- Patrick J. McIntire (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5972-4586)
- Cyndee Miranda
- Raza Hoda
- Jacob Rattin
- Susan Harrington
Institutions
- Cleveland Clinic (US)
- North Central College (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jctube.2026.100594
- Primary Topic
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00