Outbreak ofMycobacterium abscessusWound Infections among “Lipotourists” from the United States Who Underwent Abdominoplasty in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

This case series of M. abscessus infection in US "lipotourists" highlights the risks of traveling abroad for surgery and the potential role of the Internet in identifying and investigating outbreaks.

Mycobacterium abscessus Infection After Breast Implantation

“…M. abscessus has an incubation period of 2 -18 weeks with an average span of 7 weeks [2]. It presents as painful, swollen skin along with pus filled vesicles or abscesses.…”

“…It presents as painful, swollen skin along with pus filled vesicles or abscesses. Associated symptoms are usually fever, chills, muscles aches and malaise [2]. If clinical presentation and history evoke high suspicion, then acid-fast staining can guide treatment.…”

“…If an abscess is present, incision and drainage along with prolonged antibiotics are recommended. Timing of drainage does not appear to influence outcome [2]. Choice of antibiotics regimen includes a combination of a macrolide, preferably clarithromycin, along with cefoxitin, imipenem, amikacin, and or linezolid [2].…”

Soft tissue infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum following acupuncture: a case report and review of the literature

“…They are common in soil, dust, and water and can cause respiratory infections, lymphadenitis, skin and soft tissue infections, and, rarely, disseminated systemic illness, affecting not only patients with HIV infection but also patients with a medicine-induced immunosuppression or the immunocompetent hosts. Skin and soft tissue infections caused by NTM in the immunocompetent host, often emerging in outbreaks, have been reported to be associated with injections [1], liposuction [2,3], plastic surgery and breast implant surgery [4,5,6], laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) [7] and mesotherapy [8]. Injectable medicines or medical instruments contaminated with mycobacteria from the environment are often the source of infection.…”

Notes from the Field: Mycobacterium abscessusInfections Among Patients of a Pediatric Dentistry Practice — Georgia, 2015

“…Improperly maintained dental unit water lines can permit growth and amplification of microorganisms, including NTM, which can form a biofilm and replicate within waterline tubing (3). Outbreaks have been reported in different clinic settings, including acupuncture clinics, a cosmetic surgery clinic, and a general medical clinic, although not dental clinics (4)(5)(6)(7).…”