Surgical site infection due to Mycobacterium peregrinum: a case report and literature review

Int J Infect Dis. 2009 Mar;13(2):209-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2008.06.018. Epub 2008 Oct 9.

Abstract

Objectives: Mycobacterium peregrinum is a species included in the Mycobacterium fortuitum complex, a member of the group of rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (RGM). Only a few cases of infection with M. peregrinum have been reported, and no relevant review has been published.

Methods: Following the treatment of a patient with M. peregrinum infection after plastic surgery, we undertook a review of the literature of previously reported cases of M. peregrinum infection.

Results: Ten previously reported cases were identified. Like other cases of the M. fortuitum complex infections, the majority of M. peregrinum infections were related to surgical site infections and catheter-related infections. In the literature, most of the antibiotic regimens were based on a combination of quinolones with various antibiotics, and the duration of treatment ranged from 6 weeks to 4 months.

Conclusion: The fact that the optimal treatment for M. peregrinum infection has not yet been established has resulted in the use of a diverse range of therapies. It is important that clinicians carefully review each case so that a more appropriate treatment for M. peregrinum infections can be determined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology*
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum / classification*
  • Mycobacterium fortuitum / isolation & purification*
  • Surgery, Plastic / adverse effects*
  • Surgical Wound Infection / diagnosis
  • Surgical Wound Infection / microbiology*