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Mycobacterium haemophilum is a rarely encountered pathogen that is difficult to identify given its unique growth requirements. It is most often seen in adult patients who are immunosuppressed due to advanced HIV or haematological malignancy. Our case highlights a typical presentation of an atypical pathogen in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis receiving anti-tumour necrosis factor therapy. This case represents an important patient population in whom this previously rare infection is increasingly common., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2022. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

A 19-year old woman with acute myeloid leukemia presented with newly observed liver lesions during ongoing consolidation therapy. Due to unexplained cholestasis during induction, biliary duct drainage was performed. Microbiologic and histologic examinations revealed the presence of atypical mycobacteria, namely Mycobacterium abscessus. With an appropriate antiinfective regime which was continuously administered using a portable pump in the outpatient setting, further mycobacterial spread during simultaneous chemotherapy-associated neutropenia was prevented. Despite multiple bacterial resistance mechanisms, proper treatment of leukemia with curative intention could be ensured.