Mesotherapy and cutaneous Mycobacterium fortuitum infection

• Published in: International journal of dermatology Vol. 48; no. 6; pp. 645 - 647
• Main Authors: Difonzo, Elisa Margherita, Campanile, Grazia Lucia, Vanzi, Laura, Lotti, Lorena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-06-2009; Blackwell
• Subjects: Adult; Aesculus; Anti-Infective Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial diseases; Biological and medical sciences; Biopsy; Ciprofloxacin - therapeutic use; Cosmetic Techniques - adverse effects; Dermatology; Female; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Medical sciences; Microinjections - adverse effects; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium fortuitum; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous - drug therapy; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous - etiology; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous - pathology; Phytotherapy - adverse effects; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - drug therapy; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - etiology; Skin Diseases, Bacterial - pathology; Subcutaneous Fat; Tuberculosis and atypical mycobacterial infections; Infection; Mycobacteriales; Dermatology; Mycobacterium fortuitum; Mesotherapy; Bacteriosis; Mycobacteriaceae; Bacteria; Actinomycetes; Skin; Mycobacterial infection
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.03487.x

Background  Cutaneous infections caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum usually are a complication of trauma or postsurgical wounds.
Case report  A 41‐year‐old woman presented with numerous dusky red nodules, abscesses and sinuses on the right buttock and on the lateral surfaces of both thighs. The lesions developed at the injection sites of mesotherapy treatment. M. fortuitum was cultured from a biopsy specimen and purulent fluid drained from lesions. The lesions had cleared completely with ciprofloxacin 500 mg b.d. for 3 weeks, and then 250 mg b.d. for another 3 weeks.
Conclusions  This case demonstrates the importance of suspecting mycobacterial etiology in patients with nodules and abscesses in the areas of mesotherapy treatment.