Pseudomonas mesophilica Cutaneous Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient

To the Editor.—  Pseudomonas mesophilica is a saprophyte organism that can be found on leaf surfaces and in the soil. It appears to infect immunocompromised hosts predominantly.^1,2 Only once was human cutaneous infection by means of this organism reported with certainty. We report a case of P mesophilica cutaneous infection in an immunocompetent patient.

Report of a Case.—  A 28-year-old white woman visited in Ecuador from September 15 to December 15, 1989. During this period, she spent a lot of time in the countryside, where she often bathed in a river and suffered numerous skin excoriations. Around January 15, 1990, a small, subcutaneous nodule developed on the back of the first phalanx of the left index finger. During the ensuing 4 weeks, this nodule grew longer and ulcerated.She was initially treated by her general physician with minocycline (100 mg twice a day) for 15 days, with no result.