Mycobacterium abscessus complex lung infection in a toddler with a tracheostomy

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus complex and other non-tuberculous mycobacteria are infrequently encountered respiratory pathogens in patients with tracheostomies. We report a 4-year-old girl with a tracheostomy, placed during infancy for management of severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and laryngeal stenosis, who developed a M. abscessus complex lung infection. There was clear evidence of parenchymal involvement and true infection beyond colonization. She demonstrated dramatic clinical, laboratory, and radiographic improvement after prolonged anti-mycobacterial therapy.

Keywords: child; non-tuberculous mycobacteria; tracheostomy.