DISSEMINATED OSTEOMYELITIS DUE TO BATTEY MYCOBACTERIA

Abstract
A case is described of disseminated osteomyelitis in a 19-year-old white male that was caused by a "Battey" type of atypical mycobacteria. The osteomyelitis involved the skull, ribs, scapula, and lumbar vertebrae. Hospitaliza-tion and treatment with isoniazid, streptomycin, and erythromycin resulted in marked improvement. The patient was well and active for 3 yr. after the initial illness. The disease then relapsed twice in the next 2 years, but responded promptly to chemotherapy both times. Erythromycin inhibited the mycobacteria in vitro and was apparently an important component of the chemotherapy of this patient.