Cutaneous Mycobacterium Abscessus Infection Following Plastic Surgery: Three Case Reports

• Published in: Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology Vol. 17; pp. 637 - 647
• Main Authors: Shen, Hongwei, Zhang, Qiaomin, Peng, Liang, Ma, Wen, Guo, Jingdong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 31-03-2024; Dove; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: antibiotic resistance; Case Series; cutaneous infection; Drug resistance in microorganisms; Health aspects; Imipenem; Infection; Metronidazole; mycobacterium abscessus; plastic surgery; Prevention; Skin; Surgery, Plastic; treatment; Wounds and injuries; China; cutaneous infection; treatment; plastic surgery; antibiotic resistance; Mycobacterium abscessus
• ISSN: 1178-7015; 1178-7015
• DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S445175

is ubiquitous in the environment and seldom causes infections in immunocompetent individuals. However, skin and soft tissue infections caused by
have been reported in recent years. Additionally, the cutaneous infections or outbreaks post cosmetic surgery caused by
have been increasing due to the popularity of plastic surgery. The main modes of transmission are through contaminated saline, disinfectants, or surgery equipment, as well as close contact between patients. This article describes three patients who were admitted to our hospital between November 2019 and October 2020. They presented with long-term non-healing wounds caused by
infection after undergoing plastic surgery. Symptoms presented by the three patients included swelling, ulceration, secretion, and pain. After identification of
with Ziehl-Neelsen staining and MALDI-TOF MS system, the patients were treated with surgical debridement and clarithromycin.
It is important to note that a long-term wound that does not heal, especially after plastic surgery, should raise suspicion for
infection. The infection mechanism in these three patients may have been due to exposure to surgical equipment that was not properly sterilized or due to poor sterile technique by the plastic surgeon. To prevent such infections, it is important to ensure proper sterilization of surgical equipment and saline.