Case series of mycobacterium abscessus infections associated with a trigger point injection and epidural block at a rural clinic.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this report is to investigate Mycobacterium abscessus infections at a rural clinic and carry out a surveillance program to determine the extent and source of these infections.


METHODS
The authors conducted an active surveillance investigation of 36 patients who had visited the clinic since 1 July 2008. Clinical specimens were collected from the patients and an envirnmental investigation. Pulsed-field gel elctrophoresis (PFGE) was performed for comparing with M. abscessus isolates from the patients.


RESULTS
Six specimens were obtained from the 6 patients respectively and 22 environmental samples were obtained. M. abscessus was isolated from the wounds of two patients, and various nosocomial pathogens, but not M. abscessus, were isolated from the surrounding environment. Two strains of M. abscessus from patients were identical as a result of PFGE.


CONCLUSIONS
Infection control education including proper hand hygiene should be emphasized for physicians performing invasive procedures. There also needs to be more attention for invasive procedures management, including trigger point injection and epidural block in rural clinics.
Epidemic Intelligence Service, Division of Public Health Administration, Gyeongnam Provincial Office, Changwon, Korea.
Jun Young
JY
Song
Jung Bin
JB
Son
Min Ki
MK
Lee
Jin
J
Gwack
Kil Soo
KS
Lee
Ji Young
JY
Park