A case of cutaneous Mycobacterium chelonae infection requiring a differential diagnosis of Mycobacterium stephanolepidis infection

Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) species isolated from clinical specimens in Japan, with a focus on the differences in MAG strains proportions between lower respiratory specimens (LRS) and non-lower respiratory specimens (NLRS), and among different regions. The study found that the MAG strains proportion was significantly lower in NLRS compared to LRS, and higher in northern Japan compared to other regions. Additionally, variations in RGM species distribution were influenced by mean annual temperature, particularly in regions with temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius.