Multi-drug resistant surgical site infection due to mycobacterium abscessus complex

Abstract

M. abscessus complex is notoriously resistant to most antimicrobial agents. The complex is differentiated into 3 subspecies: M. abscessus subsp. abscessus, M. abscessus subsp. massiliense, and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii. Skin and soft tissue infections due to this organism can be acquired by direct contact with contaminated material through traumatic injury, surgical wound and environmental exposure or by secondary involvement of skin/soft tissue during disseminated disease. We report a case of Mycobacterium abscessus infection recovered from a post-operative mid-line abdominal wound to illustrate the diagnostic and management difficulties encountered in such patients.