Scrofula Caused by Atypical Mycobacteria

A series of cases of scrofula caused by atypical Mycobacteria is presented and a characteristic syndrome suggestive of this type of infection is described. The organisms isolated from the children with scrofula and from the pharynges of apparently healthy children belong to the general group of chromogenic Mycobacteria, but differ too much among themselves to be regarded as a single strain. These organisms are well differentiated by many standard procedures from both bovine and human strains of M. tuberculosis. The pathology of the lymph node caused by infection with these organisms is described. The pathogenesis of this disease seems to be invasion by chance of the deeper structures by oropharyngeal contaminants, perhaps preceded by ordinary infections in the oropharynx. No evidence points clearly to person-to-person transmission.