Published online Mar 16, 2021. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i8.1996
Peer-review started: November 23, 2020
First decision: December 13, 2020
Revised: December 14, 2020
Accepted: January 15, 2021
Article in press: January 15, 2021
Published online: March 16, 2021
Processing time: 101 Days and 19.6 Hours
The incidence of infection with Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) has increased in recent years. This increase is partly associated with invasive cosmetic procedures.
The purpose of this case summary is to increase clinicians' awareness of M. abscessus infection and reduce mycobacterial infection caused by cosmetic procedures. We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who received acetyl hexapeptide-8 (argireline) injections in the forehead and temples, and erythema, nodules, and abscesses appeared at the injection sites after one week. The pus specimens were examined by microbiological culture and confirmed to be positive for M. abscessus. Clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and moxifloxacin 400 mg once daily were administered for 5 mo and the lesions gradually subsided.
We report here for the first time a case of infection with M. abscessus after argireline injection. This condition is easily misdiagnosed as a common bacterial infection. Microbiological examinations are helpful for diagnosis and standardized cosmetic procedures can prevent infection with M. abscessus.
Core Tip: Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) is a rapidly growing nontubercul-ous mycobacterium that can lead to infections of the lung, lymph node, skin, and soft tissue. The incidence of infection with M. abscessus has increased in recent years. This increase is partly associated with invasive cosmetic procedures. We report here for the first time a case of infection with M. abscessus after argireline injection. The purpose of this case summary is to increase clinicians' awareness of M. abscessus infection and reduce mycobacterial infection caused by cosmetic procedures.