Mycobacterium fortuitum skin infections after subcutaneous injections with Vietnamese traditional medicine: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Iatrogenic skin and soft tissue infections by rapidly growing mycobacteria are described with increasing frequency, especially among immunocompromised patients.


METHODS
Here, we present an immunocompetent patient with extensive Mycobacterium fortuitum skin and soft tissue infections after subcutaneous injections to relieve joint pains by a Vietnamese traditional medicine practitioner. Moreover, we present dilemmas faced in less resourceful settings, influencing patient management.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the pathogenic potential of rapid growing mycobacteria in medical or non-medical skin penetrating procedures, their world-wide distribution and demonstrates the dilemmas faced in settings with fewer resources.
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. lannph@oucru.org.|Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. lannph@oucru.org.
Nguyen Phu Huong
NP
Lan
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. mkolader@gmail.com.|Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. mkolader@gmail.com.
Marion-Eliëtte
ME
Kolader
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. vdnadung@gmail.com.|Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. vdnadung@gmail.com.|University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. vdnadung@gmail.com.
Nguyen
N
Van Dung
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. jcampbell@oucru.org.|Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. jcampbell@oucru.org.|Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. jcampbell@oucru.org.
James I
JI
Campbell
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. thamnt82@gmail.com.|Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. thamnt82@gmail.com.
Nguyen Thi
NT
Tham
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. chaunvv@oucru.org.
Nguyen Van Vinh
NV
Chau
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. rvandoorn@oucru.org.|Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, 764 Vo Van Kiet, Quan 5, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. rvandoorn@oucru.org.|Centre for Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK. rvandoorn@oucru.org.
H Rogier
HR
van Doorn
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. ledienhoa@yahoo.com.
Dien Hoa
DH
Le
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D019907:Mycobacterium fortuitum; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D014744:Vietnam