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Injection site abscess due to Mycobacterium fortuitum: a case report

D R G Devi1, V A Indumathi, S Indira

  • 1Department of Microbiology, MS Ramaiah Medical Teaching Hospital, Bangalore - 560 054, Karnataka, India.

Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology
|July 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Unusual mycobacteria can cause injection site abscesses, even in children. Prompt acid-fast bacilli testing is crucial for diagnosing these rare infections.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Injection abscesses are iatrogenic infections resulting from contaminated injectables or poor sterilization.
  • Commonly identified pathogens include Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, E. coli, and S. aureus.
  • Rarely, rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause these abscesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the potential for non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to cause injection abscesses.
  • To emphasize the importance of specific diagnostic methods for identifying unusual pathogens.
  • To report a case of gluteal abscess in a child caused by an unknown preparation.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a three-year-old child with a gluteal abscess.
  • Review of causative agents of injection abscesses.
  • Emphasis on the diagnostic utility of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture for pus specimens.

Main Results:

  • The child presented with a gluteal abscess after an intramuscular injection.
  • The causative agent was suspected to be an unusual organism, potentially NTM.
  • Standard cultures may miss NTM without specific AFB testing.

Conclusions:

  • Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) should be considered in the differential diagnosis of injection abscesses, especially when standard cultures are negative or atypical.
  • Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture are essential for the early and accurate diagnosis of mycobacterial infections.
  • Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are critical to manage these iatrogenic infections effectively.

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