Medical Journal of Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2017  |  Volume : 10  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 92--94

Infection of laparoscopic port wound by Mycobacterium fortuitum


Sarvodaya Tripathy1, Sanghamitra Padhi1, Pritilata Panda1, Prabhat Ku Panigrahi2,  
1 Department of Microbiology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Brahmapur, Odisha, India
2 Department of Surgery, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Brahmapur, Odisha, India

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Sarvodaya Tripathy
Department of Microbiology, M.K.C.G. Medical College, Brahmapur, Odisha
India

Abstract

Cutaneous infection with rapidly growing mycobacteria is not very commonly reported. Unless strongly suspected, its diagnosis can be missed. We report a case of persistent sinus discharge that developed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, in a healthy adult male, caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum. The case is being reported for its uncommon etiological agent. In this patient, both chronicity as well as repeated supra-added infection of the wound had led to significant discomfort and morbidity.



How to cite this article:
Tripathy S, Padhi S, Panda P, Panigrahi PK. Infection of laparoscopic port wound by Mycobacterium fortuitum.Med J DY Patil Univ 2017;10:92-94


How to cite this URL:
Tripathy S, Padhi S, Panda P, Panigrahi PK. Infection of laparoscopic port wound by Mycobacterium fortuitum. Med J DY Patil Univ [serial online] 2017 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];10:92-94
Available from: https://journals.lww.com/mjdy/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2017/10/1/92/197915


Full Text

 Introduction



Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are commonly found in water, soil, and dust. NTM can infect individuals irrespective of their immune status. They can lead to respiratory infections, lymphadenitis, skin and soft tissue infections, and rarely disseminated systemic illnesses. Medical instruments contaminated with mycobacteria from the environment are often the source of infection. Contaminated injectable medicines can also be responsible for infection. The World Health Organization does not track down NTM infections, so the exact epidemiological data are not available.[1] Distribution can however be worldwide.

Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium phlei, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium thermoresistible, Mycobacterium fortuitum, Mycobacterium chelonae are placed under Runyon Group IV (rapidly growing NTM). M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, M. abscessus are pathogenic, M. fortuitum – M. chelonae complex being most commonly reported. There are limited numbers of studies focusing on NTM from the wound isolates. Indian studies are also scarce in this regard.

M. fortuitum and M. chelonae were isolated from the purulent discharges obtained from wounds of all patients studied for surgical site infection in an Indian study by Kannaiyan et al.[2] In another Indian study, 80% isolates from the pus/discharge were of NTM spp., all belonging to M. fortuitum – M. chelonae complex.[3]

The incidence of M. fortuitum infection has been estimated to be 4–6/1 million people.[4] Infections of surgical wounds, soft tissues, skin, and lungs are the common infective conditions attributed to M. fortuitum.[5]M. fortuitum has been reported from various cases of soft tissue infections in immunocompetent individuals throughout the world.[6]

Here, we present a rare case report on laparoscopic port infection with M. fortuitum, leading to the formation of a persistent discharging sinus.

 Case Report



A 54-year-old male with left-sided inguinal hernia with cholelithiasis had undergone laparoscopic surgery in a private clinic, for both ailments in a single setting. The patient was not a known case of diabetes or hypertension and had no history of contracting tuberculosis in the past. He was nonalcoholic.

Immediate postoperative period was uneventful. Stitches were removed on the 10th postoperative day; the wound was healthy. However, next day onward, the patient had reported about serous discharge from the wound, which in a few days turned purulent. The possibility of retained foreign body (residues of suture material) was thought of, and attempts were made to remove the foreign body.

Despite the efforts, the purulent discharge continued. Pus was sent for microscopic examination and culture to a private laboratory. Pus cultures during that period showed Acinetobacter spp. sensitive to prulifloxacin and cefoperazone/sulbactam. The microscopic examination reports were not available with the patient. The patient was treated with these antibiotic medications.

On biopsy, the nonhealing sinus tract at the laparoscopy port, measuring approximately 2 cm × 2 cm × 1.5 cm, showed a lining of nonspecific granulation tissue. The granulation tissue was composed of thin-walled blood vessels, lymphocytes, polymorph, histiocytes, and plasma cells. No evidence of granulomatous inflammation or malignancy was seen. No significant abnormality was found on abdominal ultrasonogram.

Laparotomy was performed to evacuate any residual foreign material following a laparoscopic examination. However, the problem persisted.

Four months after laparotomy, the discharge was still persisting from the wound [Figure 1]a. Hence, the patient was then referred to our set up for microbiological evaluation. A pus culture study was done. Pus was collected in three different sterile swabs avoiding contamination with skin flora. One swab was used for Gram-staining, Ziehl–Neelsen-staining (ZN), and KOH mount. On microscopic examination, pus cells along with Gram-positive cocci were seen. On ZN-staining, beaded acid-fast Bacilli were seen [Figure 1]b. The pus was inoculated in MacConkey Agar, Blood Agar, Chocolate Agar, commercial Lowenstein–Jensen (LJ) medium (HiMedia), and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar. The culture was also put in Robertson cooked meat media (RCM) to exclude anaerobes. All media were incubated at 37°C.{Figure 1}

Staphylococcus aureus was isolated on MacConkey Agar and Blood Agar within 24 h of incubation. It was detected by the standard conventional methods. It was sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, linezolid, doxycycline, vancomycin, and levofloxacin when tested by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

LJ medium was checked every day to detect any growth. On the 5th day, buff-colored butyrous colony appeared [Figure 1]c on LJ medium. A part of the colony from LJ medium was again stained and inoculated in MacConkey Agar (without crystal violet). On 4th day of incubation, there appeared fine colonies [Figure 1]d on MacConkey agar. The isolate was rapidly growing and nonpigmented. Further, it showed positive nitrate reduction, sodium chloride tolerance, and 3-day aryl sulfatase test. Thus, the growth was detected to be of M. fortuitum. Fungal culture showed negative results. Anaerobic bacteria were not found in RCM.

The patient was advised a combination therapy with injection amikacin (750 mg, intramuscular daily) for 2 weeks and clarithromycin (500 mg per oral twice daily) for 4 weeks. After reviewing, he was asked to continue clarithromycin. The discharge subsided and the patient was completely symptom-free after 3 months of starting of therapy.

 Discussion



It is evident that NTM can affect immunocompetent individuals, M. fortuitum has been reported following peritoneal dialysis, acupuncture, polypropylene mesh inguinal hernia repair.[7],[8] A case of breast piercing followed by contact with contaminated water leading to M. fortuitum infection in an immunocompetent female has also been reported from the USA.[9]M. chelonae from the wound infection following laparoscopy in a female gynecologist has been reported from Bengaluru, India.[10]

In immunocompetent individuals, skin and soft tissue infections by NTM often emerge in outbreaks. These outbreaks are commonly associated with various interventional procedures such as injections, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, plastic surgery, breast implant surgery, liposuction, and mesotherapy.[8] Common sources of infection with mycobacteria are contaminated instruments and injectable drugs.

The inadequate use of disinfectants and antiseptics is a source of nosocomial outbreaks of soft tissue infection. Outbreaks of NTM infection have been reported due to the use of benzalkonium chloride contaminated with NTM in the USA.[11] Epidemic of infection caused by a single clone of M. massiliense after video-assisted surgery (1051 possible cases) caused due to tolerance of organisms to 2% glutaraldehyde has been reported from Brazil.[12]

Our patient was an immunocompetent individual with no history of diabetes. The postsurgical wound infection, which was misdiagnosed for a long-time was due to nondetection of specific NTM pathogens in serial cultures. Isolation of various other agents from the culture at different points in time guided the treatment. However, the last culture isolate revealed the mystery behind the persistent wound discharge. Improper sterilization might have been the major culprit in this case too.

Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) should be subjected to antibacterial susceptibility testing with conventional antitubercular drugs along with other drugs such as amikacin, cefoxitin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, fluoroquinolones, imipenem, and sulphonamide.[6] Susceptibility testing in our case too showed sensitivity to amikacin and clarithromycin.

As NTM infections often go undiagnosed, it is advisable that any specimen collected for culture and aspiration cytology should be evaluated for the presence of AFB. It is important to be aware of these groups of infections from diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints. High indices of suspicion followed by timely and efficient management of such patients are of critical importance.

The surgeons should be stringent about the following strict sterilization protocols as per the guidelines. Preoperative, proper skin cleansing is also an essential prerequisite to prevent these infections. While evaluating the cases of surgical site infections, RGM must be kept in mind as its nondetection delays the diagnosis and treatment. These infections require to be diagnosed specifically also because they need to be treated with drugs other than the routine antituberculous drugs.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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