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Volume 21, Number 9—September 2015
CME ACTIVITY - Synopsis

Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Infections in Humans

Meng-Rui Lee, Wang-Huei Sheng, Chien-Ching Hung, Chong-Jen Yu, Li-Na Lee, and Po-Ren HsuehComments to Author 
Author affiliations: National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan (M.-R. Lee, W.-H. Sheng, C.-C. Hung, C.-J. Yu, L.-N. Lee, P.-R. Hsueh); National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (M.-R. Lee, W.-H. Sheng, C.-C. Hung, C.-J. Yu, L.-N. Lee, P.-R. Hsueh)

Main Article

Table 2

Summary of recommendations from previous studies for the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections in humans

Type of disease (reference) Recommended initial regimen Recommended treatment duration
Pulmonary disease (2) Macrolide-based therapy in combination with intravenous antimicrobial therapy (preferably cefoxitin and amikacin) Continue until sputum samples are negative for M. abscessus complex for 12 mo
Skin and soft-tissue infection (2) Macrolide in combination with amikacin plus cefoxitin/imipenem plus surgical debridement Minimum of 4 mo, including a minimum of 2 wk combined with intravenous agents
Central nervous system infection (21) Clarithromycin-based combination therapy (preferably including at least amikacin in the first weeks) 12 mo
Bacteremia (24,25) At least 2 active antimicrobial agents (preferably including amikacin) plus removal of catheter and/or surgical debridement of infection foci 4 wk after last positive blood culture result
Ocular infection (28) Topical agents (amikacin, clarithromycin) and/or systemic antimicrobial drugs (oral clarithromycin, intravenous amikacin or cefoxitin) and/or surgical debridement* 6 wk to 6 mo

*The treatment of ocular infections was highly dependent on the infection site. In some sites, >1 treatment strategies (i.e., topical or systemic antimicrobial drug treatment or surgery) should be considered.

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Page updated: August 14, 2015
Page reviewed: August 14, 2015
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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