Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections After Cosmetic Procedures: A Systematic Review and Management Algorithm

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection following cosmetic procedures usually results from inadequate sterile techniques and contamination from nonsterile water. These infections are difficult to diagnose and treat.

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of NTM infections acquired after an aesthetic procedure, identify high-risk patients and high-risk cosmetic procedures, and provide a diagnostic and management algorithm for NTM infections occurring after cosmetic procedures.

On December 20, 2017 an online search of the Medline database was done. All articles describing NTM infection in cosmetic procedures were included in this review.

In total, 92 patients with a mean age of 38.35 years were included in this review. Cosmetic procedures performed in the Dominican Republic were the most common source of infection and were noted in 33 patients. The procedure that resulted in the highest proportion of the infections was mesotherapy (34%). In most of the cases, the diagnosis was missed at the initial presentation and a short course of inadequate antibiotics was unsuccessful.

Nontuberculous mycobacterium infections are hard to diagnose and difficult to treat, sometimes leading to severe irreversible sequalae. Aesthetic practitioners should know when to suspect and how to prevent, diagnose, and treat NTM infections.