Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Due to Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria

Abstract

To compare the demographics, clinical features, susceptibility patterns, and treatment for skin and soft tissue infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium chelonae or Mycobacterium abscessus.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, Drug Resistance Mechanisms, and Therapy of Infections with Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

“…A recent study showed that patients with cutaneous infections with M. chelonae and M. abscessus tended to be older and often on some type of immunosuppressive therapy (396). Interestingly, AIDS is not considered a significant risk factor for the development of cutaneous infections due to M. chelonae (54,410).…”

Soft Tissue Infection Caused by Rapid Growing Mycobacterium following Medical Procedures: Two Case Reports and Literature Review

“…It remains an important adjunctive tool in treating these kinds of infections. In one series, patients with single lesion were far more likely to undergo a surgical debridement than those with multiple lesions (76% vs. 40%)2. An extensive surgical debridement for widespread infections may be technically challenging; however, patients with multiple lesions are more likely to be immunosuppressed and may be less likely to be cured of their infection with antimicrobial agents alone.…”

“…A combination of medical and surgical therapy is likely to produce optimal results in severe cases. In one report of outbreaks of sternal wound infections due to M. abscessus , approximately one third of the patients died of uncontrolled infections, suggesting that an aggressive therapy may be indicated for deep tissue infections2. No study specifically addressed the issue of the reduction of immunosuppressive agents during the treatment, but it is likely that this may be beneficial, if tolerable by the patient relative to his or her underlying comorbidities.…”

“…The rapid growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) have increasingly been reported during recent decades, with the trend of the attribution to surgical procedures and immunocompromised patients1,2,3,4,5. The common clinical pathogens of rapid growing mycobacterium (RGM) group include the Mycobacterium abscessus , M. chelonae , and M. fortuitum .…”

An immunocompromised dialysis patient with skin and bone lesions

“…There are several reports of infections with atypical mycobacteria occurring as a consequence of surgical and non-surgical procedures [6]. In immunocompetent individuals, infection may occur at the site of trauma or surgery, suggesting reduced local immunity.…”