Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium fortuitum osteomyelitis of the foot and septic arthritis of the ankle in an immunocompetent patient

Mycobacteria, both tuberculous and nontuberculous, are recognized as a cause of chronic bone and joint infection. However, the diagnosis of mycobacterial infection is easily missed because of the absence of systemic involvement. Moreover, specific microbiologic techniques are required to detect mycobacteria in clinical specimens. Infections due to uncommon pathogens such as mycobacteria are more likely to occur in the immunocompromised host. A case of septic arthritis of the ankle and osteomyelitis of the foot due to both tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacteria in an immunocompetent host is reported here.