 It can be caused by tuberculous or nontuberculous mycobacteria.About 95% of the scrofula cases in adults are caused by "Mycobacterium tuberculosis", most often in immunocompromised patients (about 50% of cervical tuberculous lymphadenopathy).In immunocompetent children, scrofula is often caused by atypical mycobacteria ("Mycobacterium scrofulaceum)" and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).