Atypical mycobacterial infections following plastic surgery procedures abroad: a multidisciplinary algorithm for diagnosis and treatment

Post Date: 
2018-12-28
Summary: 

Abstract: Medical tourism has become increasingly popular in recent years. The most commonly sought procedures are cosmetic. The recent rise in medical tourism has been mirrored by an increase in the incidence of M. abscessus infections, atypical mycobacteria ubiquitous in aquatic environments which can cause insidious soft tissue infections from improperly sterilized water, solvents and surgical equipment used during surgical procedure. Patients present to the emergency department or to their primary care physician’s office, delaying presentation to the plastic surgery teams. abscessus has unique history and physical exam findings with a complex treatment plan that involves a multidisciplinary team approach. Increasing primary care awareness of these potential complications and management in order to help provide timely care is paramount to patient outcome. We designed diagnostic and treatment steps for M. abscessus infections. This framework considers the importance of both antibiotic resistance and newly emerging diagnostic tools in the management of NTM infections, as well as the imperative role of early surgical intervention.

Citation: 
Leto Barone AA, Grzelak M, Frost C, Ngaage LM, Ge S, Kolegraff K, Chopra K, Tornheim JA, Caffrey J, Lifchez SD, Rasko Y. Atypical mycobacterial infections following plastic surgery procedures abroad: a multidisciplinary algorithm for diagnosis and treatment. Care Report. Am J Infect Dis. 2018 Dec. doi: 10.3844/ajidsp.2018
Collaborators: 
  • Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital/University of Maryland, Baltimore
  • Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
  • University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore