Mycobacterium abscessus Infections in Two Groups of US Pediatric Dental Patients

Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM). It is ubiquitous in the environment. Commonly found in water, soil and dust and is known to contaminate medications and medical devices. M. abscessus transmission is usually caused by injection of contaminated substances or through invasive medical procedures using contaminated equipment. Infection can also occur after a wound is contaminated with soil. There is minimal risk of person-to-person transmission.

Healthcare-associated infections usually involve the lungs; however, other sites can be affected. Infection of skin, underlying soft tissues and multiple organs results in inflammation, sometimes with the development of boils and/or pus-filled vesicles, including slowly progressing dental abscesses. Treatment involves pus drainage and debridement followed by prolonged combinations of antibiotics. Infections are usually resistant to antibiotics commonly used to treat skin infections. Mycobacterial culturing must be specifically ordered because the presence of such organisms is not detected using routine bacterial methods.^1,2