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Mycobacterium abscessus wound infection.

S M Ozluer1, B J De'Ambrosis

  • 1South-East Dermatology, Belmont Specialist Centre, 1202 Creek Road, Carindale, QLD 4152, Australia. sebderm@powerup.com.au

The Australasian Journal of Dermatology
|March 10, 2001
PubMed
Summary

A rare Mycobacterium abscessus wound infection occurred after skin cancer surgery. Prompt treatment with clarithromycin successfully resolved the infection in this isolated case report.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Cutaneous surgery, including routine skin cancer excisions, carries a risk of postoperative wound infections.
  • Mycobacterium abscessus is an opportunistic pathogen known for causing skin and soft tissue infections, often associated with environmental exposures.

Observation:

  • A patient developed a non-healing surgical wound infection two weeks post-procedure, unresponsive to initial antibiotic therapy (cephalexin).
  • The patient reported exposure of the surgical site to salt water and vegetation approximately one week after the procedure.
  • Subsequent tissue cultures identified Mycobacterium abscessus as the causative agent.

Findings:

  • The isolated case highlights Mycobacterium abscessus as a potential pathogen in post-surgical wound infections.
  • The infection demonstrated resistance to common antibiotics like cephalexin, necessitating targeted antimicrobial therapy.
  • Successful treatment was achieved with a six-month course of oral clarithromycin.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering atypical mycobacterial infections in refractory surgical site infections, especially after potential environmental exposures.
  • Dermatologists and surgeons should be aware of Mycobacterium abscessus as a causative agent and its potential routes of transmission.
  • Appropriate diagnostic workup, including tissue cultures, and tailored antibiotic regimens are crucial for managing these challenging infections.

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