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Suppurative cervical adenitis caused by opportunist mycobacterium
The British Journal of Oral Surgery
|March 1, 1977
Summary
Four submandibular abscesses were caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare, a pathogen resistant to chemotherapy. Surgical excision is recommended for these difficult-to-treat infections.
Area of Science:
- Oral surgery
- Infectious diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Submandibular abscesses are common surgical emergencies.
- External drainage is a standard treatment for these abscesses.
Observation:
- Four out of 45 submandibular abscesses (nearly 9%) were caused by Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.
- This opportunistic pathogen is known for poor response to antimycobacterial agents.
Findings:
- Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare is an uncommon but significant cause of submandibular abscesses.
- Standard chemotherapy is often ineffective against this organism.
Implications:
- Diagnosis of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare requires specific identification.
- Surgical excision of infected tissue is the indicated treatment for these specific abscesses.
- This highlights the need for considering atypical organisms in treatment-resistant oral infections.