Mycobacterium abscessus bloodstream infection: Unexpected catheter tunnel infection localized by PET/CT

Transpl Infect Dis. 2019 Oct;21(5):e13147. doi: 10.1111/tid.13147. Epub 2019 Jul 22.

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus is an emerging cause of invasive infection in the immunosuppressed population. We report a case of M. abscessus bloodstream and catheter tunnel infection localized by positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) in an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient. This case highlights the difficulties in treating invasive M. abscessus infection and the potential role of PET/CT in localizing infection and guiding therapy in this population.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus; bacteremia; catheter-related infection; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheter-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Catheter-Related Infections / microbiology
  • Catheter-Related Infections / transmission
  • Central Venous Catheters / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / blood*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mycobacterium abscessus / physiology
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Transplantation, Homologous / adverse effects