Case Report: Mycobacterium senegalense Infection After Cholecystectomy

Abstract

BackgroundMycobacterium senegalense is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium and is found everywhere in the environment. However, M. senegalense infection in human is extremely rare, especially in immunocompetent individuals. It is difficult to detect M. senegalense infection because its symptoms are non-specific, and routine diagnostic tests are less sensitive. It is also resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Here, we report the first case of M. senegalense infection after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in China.Case PresentationA 55-year-old man was admitted because of repeated infections at multiple incision sites for more than 1 year. Although routine diagnostic test results were negative, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified DNA sequences of M. senegalense in tissue samples from incision sites. The presence of M. senegalense was further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis. After 60 days of quadruple therapy with clarithromycin, moxifloxacin, rifampicin, and oxycycline, the patient's wound healed.ConclusionWe believe the case findings contribute to the limited amount of knowledge about M. senegalense infection and raises awareness that this infection can result in poor wound healing, even in an immunocompetent host. Owing to a lack of early, precise diagnosis, it is difficult to treat M. senegalense infections. Based on our findings, mNGS is a sensitive diagnostic test for M. senegalense infections.

Mycobacterium senegalensecatheter-related bloodstream infection

“…It is known to cause bovine farcy in sub-Saharan Africa 4. It has been isolated as a human pathogen to cause CRBSI,4 musculoskeletal infection,5 skin and soft tissue infection,6 as well as surgical site infection7 and implant-associated infection 8. A reported case of infected laceration wound by shattered fish tank glass by this pathogen suggests zoonotic potential 6.…”