Mycobacterium abscessus as a causative agent of periprosthetic infection

Introduction Mycobacterium abscessus species belongs to the group of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria responsible for chronic infections in people with weakened immunity. M. abscessus exist in various ecological niches and are able to colonize artificial surfaces, including medical and surgical instruments/ devices. Due tothe low incidence of M. abscessus as a causative agent of orthopedic infection, a rare clinical case of periprosthetic infection caused by M.abscessus would interest practitioners.

The aim is to present a clinical case of periprosthetic infection caused by M. abscessus.

Materials and methods From the medical records and discharge documents, it was known that female patient X. underwent total hip replacement at her residence hospital. Signs of acute infection of the postoperative wound appeared in the early postoperative period.

Results Three months later, the patient was hospitalized in a specialized institution with a diagnosis of chronic deep periprosthetic infection. During the examination, the mycobacterial etiology of the process was established. During two hospitalizations, the patient underwent 4 consecutive revision surgeries (including muscle plastic surgery and installation of an antimicrobial spacer) and massive parenteral antibiotic therapy for 8 months, including at the outpatient stage, using at least 3 antibacterial agents. After 4 years, the patient does not complain of the infectious process. Postoperative scar is 45 cm. The residual shortening of the right lower limb of 3 cm was compensated by orthopedic shoes.

Discussion Treatment of infection caused by M. abscessus is challenging due to the natural resistance of the pathogen to a wide range of antibacterial drugs. The literature describes separate cases of orthopedic infections caused by this pathogen. All authors agree that the key to successful treatment is a combination of radical surgical debridement and antibacterial therapy using at least three antimicrobial drugs.

Conclusion A rare clinical case of periprosthetic infection caused by Mycobacterium abscessus after primary hip replacement is presented. This infectious agent is a rare pathogen, for which there is no proven therapeutic algorithm. Long-term aggressive antibiotic therapy in combination with stage-by-stage surgical treatment was successful.

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