An immunocompetent patient develops mycobacterium abscessus bacteremia after a coronary artery bypass transplant.

Sarma , Sunil , Usha

» doi: https://jcdponline.org/.2018.v09.i01.pp01-03

Abstract

Rarely can immunocompetent individuals have sternal osteomyelitis with bacteremia caused by Mycobacterium abscessus. It takes longer to diagnose and treat these instances since routine pyogenic cultures usually come out negative. When treating patients with nonhealing culture-negative wounds, clinicians and microbiologists should first rule out tuberculous mycobacteria as the possible cause of infection. We present a case of bacteremia caused by Mycobacterium abscessus that persisted after a sternal incision had stopped healing. To eradicate the infection entirely, a mix of aggressive debridement and long-term antibiotic treatment was necessary.