Background
The nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an emerging and increasingly recognized etiology of skin and soft tissue infections associated with injections and minor surgical procedures in the United States. Because these organisms require laboratory techniques other than the standard gram stain with aerobic and anaerobic culture and sensitivity for identification, and tend not to respond to courses of typical antibacterial agents effective against streptococci and staphylococci, delay in diagnosis and appropriate antimicrobial management may occur. The purpose of this review is to highlight the typical mycobacteria that are causative of infections associated with more common cosmetic procedures, and to describe methods of identification and best treatment practices.