Outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus infection after soft tissue augmentation.

BACKGROUND

Illicit soft-tissue augmentation performed in New York City resulted in an outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in 2002.

OBJECTIVE

To report two cases of women who developed tender, subcutaneous nodules of the face and buttocks after illicit soft-tissue augmentation with a hyaluronic acid derivative.

METHODS

Two case reports are presented, and the literature is reviewed.

RESULTS

Empiric treatment with clarithromycin (for M. abscessus infection) and prednisone (for foreign body reaction) resulted in clearance of lesions.

CONCLUSION

Contaminated or impure material used for soft-tissue augmentation can result in a clustered outbreak of infection or foreign body reaction.