Clinical features of mesotherapy-associated non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections: A systematic review.

UNLABELLED

Cutaneous infections from non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a well-documented but poorly characterized adverse event following mesotherapy injections.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to consolidate the available literature to characterize demographic and clinical features of mesotherapy-associated NTM infections.

METHODS

Using PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was undertaken for articles reporting cases of NTM skin infections following mesotherapy. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel.

RESULTS

Of 1966 search results, 30 articles (N = 423 patients) met inclusion criteria. Studies were largely from South America, and patients were mostly women aged 16-55 with NTM infections arising in the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs. Nearly all patients developed multiple, well-localized lesions without systemic symptoms. Effect summary by meta-analysis revealed most infections resolved after antibiotic therapy, though many patients required multiple antibiotic courses and/or agents to resolve infection. Infections often took weeks to resolve and were complicated by post-treatment scarring.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitation of this study was the heterogeneity and lack of consistency between case reports.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous NTM infections associated with mesotherapy generally occur in women of childbearing age, arise from injections contaminated by the environment, and are often complicated by scarring/poor cosmesis and prolonged treatment course.