Successful treatment of rapid growing mycobacterial infections with source control alone: Case series

Abstract

Rapid growing mycobacteria have been increasingly recognized as pathogens, both in immunocompromised and immunocompetent population, and their incidence has increased over the last decade significantly. Pulmonary infections are the most common, however, any organ can be affected. The treatment of these infections is costly, prolonged, and often antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge to a successful outcome. The source control together with antimicrobials is the cornerstone of treatment. We report a case series of 3 patients with extrapulmonary rapid growing mycobacterial infections in whom the successful treatment was achieved with source control alone.

Keywords

• Non tuberculous mycobacteria
• Source control
• Skin and soft tissue infection
• Bloodstream infection
• Mycobacterium abscessus
• Mycobacterium chelonae