Mycobacterium abscessus: a rare cause of vascular graft infection

Abstract

Prosthetic vascular graft infection (PVGI) following vascular reconstructive surgery is an uncommon but serious complication and is associated with high morbidity as well as mortality rate. Staphylococcal species are the most common organisms causing PVGI. Mycobacterium abscessus is a very rare cause of PVGI and poses a significant diagnostic and management dilemma. To the best of our knowledge, we report the third documented case of M. abscessus vascular graft infection that was diagnosed with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scan and treated successfully.

Mycobacterium abscessus bloodstream infection: Unexpected catheter tunnel infection localized by PET/CT

“…PET/CT provides functional imaging related to metabolism of glucose by cells and may provide greater sensitivity compared to conventional imaging modailities . Two cases of M. abscessus endovascular infection related to vascular grafts have been reported which were only localized by PET/CT in immunocompetent patients . PET/CT scan localize infection even in cases of severe neutropenia due to glucose uptake by other immune cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages and has been used to localize central venous access device‐related infection post‐HSCT .…”