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Mycobacterium abscessus Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection
Internal Medicine
  • Danay Herrera, HCA Healthcare
  • Aunie Danyalian, HCA Healthcare
  • Daniel Kaswan, HCA Healthcare
  • Nicole L Cohen, HCA Healthcare
  • Miguel Edelstein, HCA Healthcare
  • Andres Rivero, HCA Healthcare
  • Paola Solari, HCA Healthcare
Division
East Florida
Hospital
Aventura Hospital and Medical Center
Document Type
Case Report
Publication Date
7-13-2021
Keywords
  • mycobacterium abscessus,
  • non-tuberculous mycobacteria,
  • cns infections,
  • ventricular catheter,
  • rgm
Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacterium (RGM) known to be abundant in soil, dust and water. Unlike other non-tuberculous mycobacteria, RGM is typically resistant to first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. These organisms are known to cause community and hospital-acquired infections; however, central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by these pathogens have not been abundantly reported. As the use of vascular catheters and prosthetic devices is becoming more common, a rise in CNS infections secondary to M. abscessus has been noted. Here, we present such a case where the removal of a ventricular catheter was necessary to guarantee source control and eradication of the infection.

Publisher or Conference
Cureus
Citation Information
Herrera D, Danyalian A, Kaswan D, et al. Mycobacterium abscessus Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Infection. Cureus. 2021;13(7):e16356. doi:10.7759/cureus.16356