【Objective】
This retrospective study investigated the characteristic of patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and identified the predictive factors of treatment failure in these patients.

【Material and Methods】
Patients with NTM SSTIs, who received treatment between January 2014 to December 2019 in Taipei Veterans General Hospital were collected retrospectively. Predictive variables were determined using univariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression models.

【Results】
47 patients (24 males, 23 females, age 57.1±15.2 years old) were enrolled in this study. The most common seen comorbidity was type 2 diabetes mellitus. The most common mycobacterial species was Mycobacterial abscessus complex, and the most common affected site was located on the axial trunk. Treatment succeeded in 38 patients (81%). 7 patients had recurrent infection (15%) after treatment course was completed, and 2 patients (4%) died due to NTM-related infection. Delayed treatment more than 2 months and non-surgical antibiotic-alone treatment were independent predictive factors for treatment failure in patients with NTM SSTIs.

【Conclusions】
Delayed treatment more than 2 months and non-surgical antibiotic-alone treatment were associated with higher failure rate in patients with NTM SSTIs. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of NTM infection should always be kept in mind when the treatment course prolonged but not effective. Early identification of causative NTM species and the appropriate antibiotic treatment may lower the risk of treatment failure. Prompt surgical intervention was also recommended whenever necessary.

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