Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Skin and Soft Tissue Infections.

Mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) represent a diagnostically challenging and heterogeneous group of diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), M tuberculosis complex, and M leprae. This review will focus on SSTIs caused by NTM. Rapidly growing mycobacteria predominate in iatrogenic and health care-associated infections, while M marinum and M ulcerans are linked to aquatic exposure. Diagnostic delay remains a universal challenge due to nonspecific presentations and the need for specialized laboratory techniques. Treatment requires pathogen-specific combination regimens. This review summarizes the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and treatment strategies of mycobacterial SSTIs, with emphasis on NTM.