Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Deciphering and Imaging Pathogenesis and Cording of Mycobacterium abscessus in Zebrafish Embryos
Published on: September 9, 2015
Mycobacterium tuberculosis breast infection mimicking pyogenic abscesses in Kuwait
Ebtehal Al-Roomi1, Wafaa Jamal, Ahmad Al-Mosawi
1Department of Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Services, Mubarak Hospital, Kuwait. vincent@hsc.edu.kw
Objective:
To present 2 cases of primary breast abscesses caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis mimicking pyogenic abscesses in healthy young females.
Clinical Presentation And Intervention:
Two young non-lactating Indonesian and Indian women, aged 27 and 29 years old, respectively, presented with breast abscesses caused by M.tuberculosis. The breasts presented as huge, swollen, hot, tender masses with a discharge at the subareolar site. Surgical drainage revealed deep abscess with copious amount of pus, samples of which were positive for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) and later confirmed as M.tuberculosis by positive cultures in Becton Dickinson BBL Migit and BACTEC 12B media. The initial therapies with clindamycin were changed to 4 anti-tuberculous drugs as soon as the smears showed the presence of AFB. The patients were discharged a week later, but both were lost to follow-up.
Conclusion:
Mammary tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of breast lesion, especially in patients from endemic areas.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Tuberculosis
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the progression...
