Mycobacterium wolinskyi infection confirmed by rpoB gene sequencing

Mycobacterium wolinskyi infection after breast augmentation: A case report and comprehensive review

We present a case report about a 26-year-old female with a Mycobacterium wolinskyi surgical site infection after bilateral breast augmentation. In a unique approach compared with previously reported cases, the patient was successfully treated in an outpatient setting using only orally administered cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and ciprofloxacin with one-sided preservation of the breast prothesis. We also provide a comprehensive overview of all report cases of M. wolinskyi infections available in the PubMed database until December 2023 and compare the different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Mycobacterium flavescens Infection - An Unusual Case of Prosthetic Joint Infection

INTRODUCTION

The onset of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) is characterized by early onset defined as within 90 days of the procedure, delayed onset defined as within 3 to 12 months, and late onset defined as over 12 months. In only a scant number of case reports, Mycobacterium flavescens associated infections are typically found in sputum cultures and associated with various forms of penetrating joint traumas, particularly post-surgical interventions. Due to its rarity in presentation among cases of PJIs, we have presented a case of PJI caused by Mycobacterium flavescens.

CASE PRESENTATION

We have, herein, reported a case of a 70-year-old male presenting with stabbing left knee pain over the past several months along with accompanying erythema and swelling with the presence of purulent discharge. Outpatient cultures have shown the growth of Mycobacterium flavescent; subsequently, the patient underwent a 2-stage revision arthroplasty and was treated with a three-drug regimen and implant 5 months later. Although being an atypical cause of PJIs, we emphasize the importance of considering NTM as a differential for immunocompromised patients, especially those with prior surgical intervention.

DISCUSSION

Mycobacterium spp. related PJIs manifest clinical features similar to other bacteriacausing PJIs, such as warm, indurated edema at the surgical site resulting in wound dehiscence and joint effusion. Diagnosis of Mycobacterium spp. related PJIs includes history and physical examination findings, serum inflammatory markers, synovial fluid analysis, and culture. Concurrently with surgical interventions, utilization of antimicrobial agents provides additional control in Mycobacterium- related PJI. Mycobacterium flavescens should be included among other NTMs as a possible cause of PJIs.

Prosthetic joint infection of the hip and knee due to Mycobacterium species: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium species (Mycobacterium sp) is an emerging cause of hip and knee prosthetic joint infection (PJI), and different species of this organism may be responsible for the same.

AIM

To evaluate the profile of hip and knee Mycobacterium PJI cases as published in the past 30 years.

METHODS

A literature search was performed in PubMed using the MeSH terms “Prosthesis joint infection” AND “Mycobacterium” for studies with publication dates from January 1, 1990, to May 30, 2021. To avoid missing any study, another search was performed with the terms “Arthroplasty infection” AND “Mycobacterium” in the same period as the previous search. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses chart was used to evaluate the included studies for further review. In total, 51 studies were included for further evaluation of the cases, type of pathogen, and treatment of PJI caused by Mycobacterium sp.

RESULTS

Seventeen identified Mycobacterium sp were reportedly responsible for hip/knee PJI in 115 hip/knee PJI cases, whereas in two cases there was no mention of any specific Mycobacterium sp. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) was detected in 50/115 (43.3%) of the cases. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) included M. fortuitum (26/115, 22.6%), M. abscessus (10/115, 8.6%), M. chelonae (8/115, 6.9%), and M. bovis (8/115, 6.9%). Majority of the cases (82/114, 71.9%) had an onset of infection > 3 mo after the index surgery, while in 24.6% (28/114) the disease had an onset in ≤ 3 mo. Incidental intraoperative PJI diagnosis was made in 4 cases (3.5%). Overall, prosthesis removal was needed in 77.8% (84/108) of the cases to treat the infection. Overall infection rate was controlled in 88/102 (86.3%) patients with Mycobacterium PJI. Persistent infection occurred in 10/108 (9.8%) patients, while 4/108 (3.9%) patients died due to the infection.

CONCLUSION

At least 17 Mycobacterium sp can be responsible for hip/knee PJI. Although M. tuberculosis is the most common causal pathogen, NTM should be considered as an emerging cause of hip/knee PJI.

First case report of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Mycobacterium wolinskyi

To date, only 26 cases of Mycobacterium wolinskyi infections have been reported in humans. We herein report a first case of prosthetic valve endocarditis due to this organism after cardiovascular surgery. An 82-year-old man presented with repeat episodes of syncope and fever after aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, left atrial appendage closure, and pulmonary vein isolation. Blood cultures maintained in aerobic bottles were repeatedly positive after 90-100 hours, and Gallium scan revealed abnormal accumulations in the sternum and left testis. While colonies formed by culturing the fluid of the parasternal area and blood cultures revealed gram-positive rods, we could not analyze the colony using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). M. wolinskyi was finally identified on 16S rRNA, hsp65, and rpoB gene sequencing. We treated the patient with multiple antimycobacterial drugs, i.e., amikacin, imipenem, and clarithromycin for 6 weeks, which was changed to oral ciprofloxacin and minocycline for 12 months. This case highlights the need to consider rapidly growing mycobacteria, including M. wolinskyi, if chronic fever persists from weeks to months after surgery, the blood culture is positive, and the organism is not identified. In addition, sequencing the 16S rRNA, hsp65, and rpoB genes is essential for diagnosis.

Mycobacterium wolinskyi Peritonitis after Peritoneal Catheter Embedment Surgery

Mycobacterium wolinskyi belongs to the Mycobacterium smegmatis group, which comprises rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The number of case reports on M. wolinskyi infections associated with postoperative wounds has increased in recent years. We herein report a case of peritonitis due to M. wolinskyi after peritoneal catheter embedment surgery. Identification was achieved based on 16S ribosomal RNA and rpoB gene sequencing of the isolate. The patient recovered following catheter removal and treatment with levofloxacin and minocycline for one month.

Draft Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium wolinskyi, a Rapid-Growing Species of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Mycobacterium wolinskyi is a nonpigmented, rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium species that is associated with bacteremia, peritonitis, infections associated with implants/prostheses, and skin and soft tissue infections often following surgical procedures in humans. Here, we report the first functionally annotated draft genome sequence of M. wolinskyi CDC_01.

Facial skin and soft tissue infection caused by Mycobacterium wolinskyi associated with cosmetic procedures

Background

Mycobacteirum wolinskyi is a member of the Mycobacterium smegmatis group, which is less frequently found in clinical settings than other nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) species. However, its clinical significance has recently increased in opportunistic infections. This case is the first report of facial skin and soft tissue infection by M. wolinskyi complicating cosmetic procedures.

Case presentation

A 56-year-old Asian female patient with a history of receiving multiple facial cosmetic procedures over the preceding 2 years was admitted to our institution with swelling, local pain, and erythema on the right cheek. Mycobacteirum fortuitum complex isolated from a pus culture was identified as M. wolinskyi by rpoB sequencing. Metallic foreign bodies and abscess were detected by radiologic imaging. The pus was incised and drained. Treatment comprised clarithromycin (500 mg every 12 h), amikacin (200 mg every 8 h), and ciprofloxacin (400 mg every 6 h).

Conclusion

We report the first case of facial skin and soft tissue infection with M. wolinskyi after multiple cosmetic procedures of filler injection and laser lipolysis. Increased occurrence of NTM infection in nosocomial settings suggests the importance of appropriate treatment including culturing and rpoB gene sequencing when patients who have undergone cosmetic procedures display symptoms and signs of soft tissue infection indicative of NTM infection.

First case report of infection by Mycobacterium wolinskyi after mammoplasty in Brazil

Mycobacterium wolinskyi is a rapidly growing mycobacterium, first described in 1999 as a member of the group Mycobacterium smegmatis (Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium wolinskyi and Mycobacterium goodii). Only 19 case reports all over the world have been described on literature, none of them in Brazil. On this report, it is described one case of infection after a mammoplasty procedure performed in a private health service in the county of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in 2009. The mycobacteria specie was identified using biochemical tests and sequencing the specific gene rpoB. To treat the infection by Mycobacterium wolinskyi it was necessary to combine antibiotics for a long period of time associated with surgical procedures of the breast abscesses.