Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Osteomyelitis of the Wrist

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) is a ubiquitous, rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium, which is known to cause life-threatening lung infections in immunocompromised individuals following exposure to contaminated injectable products. We report a case of M. abscessus osteomyelitis of the right wrist in a 28-year-old patient with a history of intravenous drug use and a recent surgical repair of the right radial artery pseudoaneurysm. The patient underwent surgical debridement of the right distal radius infection. Histopathological examination and culture of the debrided tissue revealed M. abscessus complex infection. The patient was placed on intravenous amikacin, azithromycin, and cefoxitin for six weeks, followed by oral linezolid and clofazimine for six months.