Mycobacterium chelonae infections associated with bee venom acupuncture.

We report 3 cases of Mycobacterium chelonae infections after bee venom acupuncture. All were treated with antibiotics and surgery. Mycobacterium chelonae infections should be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic skin and soft tissue infections following bee venom acupuncture.

Pedicure-associated rapidly growing mycobacterial infection: an endemic disease.

BACKGROUND: Pedicure-associated nontuberculous mycobacterial furunculosis has been reported in the setting of either outbreaks or sporadic case reports. The epidemiology of these infections is not well understood. METHODS: Systematic surveillance for pedicure-associated nontuberculous mycobacterial furunculosis was conducted in 2 North Carolina counties from 1 January 2005 through 31 December 2008. A subset of implicated nail salons and control salons was inspected and sampled for nontuberculous mycobacteria. RESULTS: Forty cases of suspected or confirmed pedicure-associated nontuberculous mycobacterial furunculosis were reported during the 4-year study period. Furunculosis incidence in the surveillance region was 1.00, 0.96, 0.83, and 0.89 cases per 100,000 population in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, respectively. The responsible organisms primarily belonged to the Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus group (30 [91%] of 33 isolates). Thirteen implicated salons and 11 control salons were visited and environmentally sampled. An assortment of nontuberculous mycobacteria was cultured from footbaths, but there was no association between the species distribution of the environmental isolates and implication of the salon in human infection. Evidence of suboptimal cleaning (visible debris or surface biofilms) was observed in at least 1 footbath for 11 of 13 implicated salons and 4 of 11 control salons (P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Pedicure-associated mycobacterial furunculosis was endemic in these 2 North Carolina counties during 2005-2008. Suboptimal footbath cleaning may have contributed to these infections, which suggests straightforward means of potential prevention. The relative rarity of this type of infection in the setting of nearly ubiquitous exposure to these pathogens suggests that as yet undefined host-specific or procedure-related factors may be involved in susceptibility to these infections.

An outbreak of cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus associated to mesotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: In February 2009 an outbreak of subcutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium abscessus was detected in Spain which affected healthy women who had undergone mesotherapy procedures in an aesthetic clinic. METHODS: Epidemiological research, health inspection and microbiological studies were conducted. The patients were given antibiotic treatment (according to susceptibility testing) with clarithromycin, and in some cases, combined with amikacin. RESULTS: Seventeen out of 77 patients treated in the clinic were affected. The products used for the injections were homeopathic drugs in multi-dose vials. The environmental samples were negative. The sterile injection equipment and the clinical procedures were evaluated as correct. The storage conditions for the drugs were also correct, and all the samples tested negative for Mycobacteria. However Paenibacillus provencensis was isolated from samples of unused multi-dose vials and the withdrawal of the product from distribution was ordered. Deficiencies were detected in the sterile products process of at the homeopathic drug factory, so the production line was suspended. CONCLUSIONS: The results of environmental investigation suggest the most likely cause of the outbreak could have been the contamination of the products in the factory, although there was no laboratory confirmation. The widespread use of homeopathic products in invasive procedures requires extreme control during the manufacturing, handling and packaging process. It is important to consider mesotherapy and parenteral use of homeopathic medicines as potential sources of infection and therefore the same precautions in the procedures and quality assurance of products should be applied as with any other drug or medical activity.

[Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections related to esthetic care in France, 2001-2010]. / Infections à mycobactéries atypiques liées à des soins esthétiques en France, 2001-2010.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections usually occur in immunocompromised patients but also in immunocompetent patients following invasive procedures, especially for esthetic purposes. Since 2001, 20 episodes (57 cases) of NTM infections, seven of which (43 cases) were related to esthetic care, have been reported to the regional infection control coordinating centers (RICCC), the local health authorities (LHA), and the national institute for public health surveillance. Four notifications (40 cases) were related to non-surgical procedures performed by general practitioners in private settings: mesotherapy, carboxytherapy, and sclerosis of microvaricosities. The three other notifications (three cases) concerned surgical procedures-lifting and mammary prosthesis. Practice evaluations performed by the RICCC and LHA for five notifications showed deficiency of standard hygiene precautions and tap water misuse for injection equipment cleaning, or skin disinfection. Microbiological investigations (national reference center for mycobacteria) demonstrated the similarity of patient and environmental strains: in one episode (16 cases after mesotherapy), M. chelonae isolated from tap water was similar to those isolated from 11 cases. Healthcare-associated NTM infections are rare but have a potentially severe outcome. These cases stress the need of healthcare-associated infection notifications in outpatient settings.

Clinical management of rapidly growing mycobacterial cutaneous infections in patients after mesotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of patients are expressing an interest in mesotherapy as a method of reducing body fat. Cutaneous infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria are a common complication of such procedures. METHODS: We followed up patients who had developed cutaneous infections after undergoing mesotherapy during the period October 2006-January 2007. RESULTS: Sixteen patients were infected after mesotherapy injections performed by the same physician. All patients presented with painful, erythematous, draining subcutaneous nodules at the injection sites. All patients were treated with surgical drainage. Microbiological examination was performed on specimens that were obtained before and during the surgical procedure. Direct examination of skin smears demonstrated acid-fast bacilli in 25% of the specimens that were obtained before the procedure and 37% of the specimens obtained during the procedure; culture results were positive in 75% of the patients. Mycobacterium chelonae was identified in 11 patients, and Mycobacterium frederiksbergense was identified in 2 patients. Fourteen patients were treated with antibiotics, 6 received triple therapy as first-line treatment (tigecycline, tobramycin, and clarithromycin), and 8 received dual therapy (clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin). The mean duration of treatment was 14 weeks (range, 1-24 weeks). All of the patients except 1 were fully recovered 2 years after the onset of infection, with the mean time to healing estimated at 6.2 months (range, 1-15 months). CONCLUSIONS: This series of rapidly growing mycobacterial cutaneous infections highlights the difficulties in treating such infections and suggests that in vitro susceptibility to antibiotics does not accurately predict their clinical efficacy.

Outbreak of nontuberculous mycobacterial subcutaneous infections related to multiple mesotherapy injections.

We describe an outbreak of severe subcutaneous infections due to nontuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. Epidemiological studies and molecular comparisons of Mycobacterium chelonae strains from different patients and the environment suggested that contamination may be associated with inappropriate cleaning of the multiple-injection device with tap water.

Outbreak of persistent cutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium chelonae after mesotherapy sessions, Lima, Peru.

Outbreaks of rapidly growing mycobacteria have been occasionally described. The article reports an outbreak of cutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium chelonae following mesotherapy in Lima, Peru. From December 2004 through January 2005, 35 subjects who had participated in mesotherapy training sessions presented with persistent cutaneous abscesses. Thirteen (37%) of these suspected cases consented to undergo clinical examination. Skin punch-biopsies were collected from suspicious lesions and substances injected during mesotherapy were analyzed. Suspected cases were mainly young women and lesions included subcutaneous nodules, abscesses and ulcers. Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from four patients and from a procaine vial. In conclusion, it is important to consider mesotherapy as a potential source of rapidly growing mycobacteria infections.

Fourth-generation fluoroquinolone-resistant mycobacterial keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis.

We report a case of mycobacterial keratitis resistant to fourth-generation fluoroquinolones after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) with fourth-generation fluoroquinolone prophylaxis. While receiving moxifloxacin post LASIK, the patient was diagnosed with moxifloxacin-resistant Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis. Culture susceptibilities revealed isolates resistant to moxifloxacin and gatifloxacin, and treatment with topical amikacin and clarithromycin with oral doxycycline and clarithromycin along with flap amputation was necessary to control the infection. This case demonstrates the potential limitations in the coverage of these antibiotic agents.

Atypical mycobacteria keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis unresponsive to fourth-generation fluoroquinolone therapy.

We report a case of post-laser in situ keratomileusis atypical mycobacteria infection unresponsive and resistant to fourth-generation fluoroquinolones, which highlights the importance of a high level of suspicion and the need for multidrug therapy for effective eradication.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria infection after mesotherapy: preliminary report of 15 cases.

BACKGROUND: Mesotherapy is an increasingly used technique which is currently causing several mycobacterial infections owing to contaminated substances being injected, and also to poor aseptic measures being held by nonprofessional practitioners. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected 15 cases of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection after mesotherapy in a 6-month period. RESULTS: All patients were female with ages ranging from 19 to 52 years; the main substances injected were procaine and lecithin, and the time between mesotherapy and the appearance of the lesions varied between 1 and 12 weeks. Clinical lesions were mostly nodules and abscesses, which were localized in the abdomen and buttocks in the majority of cases. The main patient complaint was local pain but some presented with systemic symptoms such as fever and malaise. Biopsies reported granulomatous chronic inflammation in the majority of cases. Skin cultures were positive for NTM and Mycobacterium chelonae. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Mesotherapy not performed with quality controlled substances can be a predisposing factor for NTM infection.

[Soft-tissue infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. What is the price of beauty]. / Infecciones en tejidos blandos por micobacterias no tuberculosas secundarias a mesoterapia. 'Cuánto vale la belleza?

INTRODUCTION: Mesotherapy is widely used In Latin America for cosmetic purposes, particularly in obese individuals. We describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, microbiological diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of patients from Caracas (Venezuela) with soft tissue infection caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria following mesotherapy. METHODS: Between March 2002 and December 2003, we evaluated 49 cases of skin and soft tissue infection following mesotherapy. Specimens obtained from the lesions and 15 products used in the mesotherapy procedure were cultured for the presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. Isolated mycobacteria were identified by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the hsp65 gene. RESULTS: Infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria was confirmed in 81.6% of the 49 cases. Mycobacterium abscessus and M. fortuitum were the most common species, but M. chelonae, M. peregrinum, M. simiae and a new species that was designated "M. cosmeticum" were also isolated. Patients were treated with species-specific antibiotic agents for 3 to 18 months. Investigation into the source of the infection revealed that 21 patients were clustered within 3 different outbreaks and two products were found to be contaminated with M. fortuitum and M. abscessus, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be alerted to the possibility of infection by non-tuberculous mycobacteria in patients with a history of mesotherapy who develop late-onset skin and soft tissue infection, particularly if they do not respond to conventional antibiotic treatment.

Effectiveness of fluoroquinolones against Mycobacterium abscessus in vivo.

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of fluoroquinolones against Mycobacterium abscessus in vivo. METHODS: M. abscessus growth was determined quantitatively in rabbit corneas after intrastromal bacterial injection (10(4) CFU/cornea; n >or= 4 corneas per group). Eyes were treated topically with 0.3% ciprofloxacin, 0.5% levofloxacin, or 0.5% moxifloxacin by three protocols: (1) 1 drop of antibiotic applied hourly for 10 hr on day 3 postinfection (PI); (2) 1 drop applied every 2 hr for 10 hr on days 2 and 3 PI; or (3) 1 drop applied every 2 hr for 10 hr on days 1, 2, and 3 PI. Corneas were cultured 1 hr after the last topical drop. Results are expressed as the log CFU. RESULTS: Bacteria in control group reached maximal numbers in vivo by day 3 PI (approximately 6 logs CFU/cornea). Treatment of infected eyes on day 3 with moxifloxacin or levofloxacin resulted in approximately 2.0 log decrease in CFU/cornea relative to the untreated control. Treatment on days 2 and 3 with moxifloxacin or levofloxacin resulted in approximately 3.0 and 2.5 log CFU/cornea decrease, respectively. Ciprofloxacin had no effect on bacterial load. Treatment on days 1, 2, and 3 with moxifloxacin resulted in a 5.5 log CFU decrease, whereas treatment with levofloxacin or ciprofloxacin resulted in a approximately 4.0 log CFU decrease. CONCLUSIONS: Moxifloxacin, and to a lesser extent levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, demonstrated significant effectiveness for reducing the number of M. abscessus in vivo, suggesting the potential usage of these agents in prevention of M. abscessus keratitis.

Mycobacterium chelonae exit site infection in a patient on peritoneal dialysis.

Atypical mycobacterial infe tion of the Tenckhoff catheter exit site is rare. Eradication of the infection is often difficult without the removal of the Tenckhoff cath ter. We report here a case of Mycobacterium chelonae exit site infection in a peritoneal dialysis patient. He was treated with a combination regimen of prolonged antibiotics, local heat therapy, deroofing and shaving of the Tenckhoff catheter outer cuff. This resulted in the successful treatment of the infection without the need for removal of the Tenckhoff catheter. We recommend that this therapeutic approach could be considered in similar cases and that removal of Tenckhoff catheter is not mandatory.