Facial skin and soft tissue infection caused by Mycobacterium wolinskyi associated with cosmetic procedures

Among more than 140 species of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), the rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), which are widely distributed in soil and water, is a clinically significant pathogen that causes various human diseases [1]. RGM, a type IV mycobacteria under the Runyon classification system, includes the Mycobacterium fortuitum group, Mycobacterium perginum, Mycobacterium chelonae, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium immunogenum, and Mycobacterium smegmatis group [2]. Mycobacterium wolinskyi, which belongs to the M. smegmatis group, was first identified in 1999 by 16S rRNA sequencing [3]. M. wolinskyi is less frequently observed in clinical settings, but it is predominantly associated with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) [4]. Previously reported cases of M. wolinskyi have described its primary association with posttraumatic or postsurgical wounds resulting in cellulitis, osteomyelitis, and localized abscess [5]. Herein, we report the first case of facial SSTI caused by M. wolinskyi after multiple cosmetic procedures involving filler injections and laser therapies.

A 56-year-old Asian female patient was admitted to Jeju National University Hospital with persisting edema that evolved from a small indurated nodule on the right cheek over the course of 3 months (Figure 1). The patient had received multiple AccuSculpt™ laser procedures (1444 mm Nd:YAG) for facial pigmentation removal and lipolysis, and repeated filler injections for cosmetic purposes at a local clinic since 2011. In August 2012, a subcutaneous indurated nodule approximately 1 to 2 cm in diameter developed on the right side of the face. She was injected with hyaluronidase and triamcinolone weekly for subcutaneous nodule. However, swelling at the site of erythema progressively developed. Although a local physician prescribed antibiotics with suspected facial cellulitis, the patient’s condition did not improve.

The patient did not have any previous surgical and medical history of tuberculosis or diabetes mellitus, but was controlled for hypertension. Physical examination indicated stable vital status. The right facial lesion was generally edematous without a definitely elevated margin in addition to a heating sensation and tenderness at the site of swelling (Figure 1). Initial laboratory findings did not indicate any abnormal results other than elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) 7.13 mg/dL and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 69 mm/h. Human-immunodeficiency virus was negative. Chest radiography revealed no apparent active lesions.

Facial computed tomography (CT) indicated multiple metallic foreign bodies, soft tissue infection, and fatty infiltration (Figure 2). Since the patient had a history of cosmetic procedures, and steroid injections and showed no apparent improvement of symptoms in response to β-lactam antibiotic, pus was collected for acid fast bacilli (AFB) stain, mycobacterium culture, Mycobacterium tuberculosis/NTM polymerase chain reaction (TB/NTM PCR), gram staining, and culture. The results indicated the presence of AFB positive and NTM PCR positive organisms. According to the test results, the antibiotic treatment regimen was changed to clarithromycin (500 mg every 12 h), amikacin (200 mg every 8 h), and ciprofloxacin (400 mg every 6 h), and NTM culture for pus was performed. Pain at the site of the lesion was improved, but the patient still complained of continuous pus formation. Meanwhile, M. fortuitum complex (MFC) was isolated from the NTM pus culture. The results from the antibiotic susceptibility tests are shown in Table 1. The subsequent rpoB gene sequencing identified M. wolinskyi with an accuracy of  99%.

Since metal foreign body and abscess had been confirmed by radiologic and pathologic images, incision and drainage was performed to eliminate granulation tissue, metallic foreign bodies, and thread remnants (Figures 3 and 4). At the same time, the patient was treated with oral doxycycline (100 mg every 12 h) and ciprofloxacin (750 mg every 4 h) for 5 months. Subsequently, the facial abscess and erythematous swelling were resolved with minor dermatologic sequelae.

M. wolinskyi has been reported in only 13 cases since its first categorization within the M. smegmatis group in 1999. Contrary to several reported cases of SSTI caused by other NTM species [6‐10], previously reported cases of M. wonlinskyi-related SSTI mostly described incidences following surgical procedures including hip prosthesis, peritoneal dialysis, transplantation, and heart surgery and posttraumatic events [3, 11‐13]. Infections have also been observed in immunocompromised patients [14, 15] and in some cases of tissue necrosis involving subjacent bone [1]. However, M. wolinskyi infection complicating facial cosmetic procedure has not hitherto been reported, although there are increasing reports of SSTI caused by other RGM species involving cosmetic therapy such as M. fortuitum, M. abscessus, M. jacuzzi and M. concepcionense (Table 2).

In this case, we describe a facial SSTI associated with M. wolinskyi, presumably due to invasive cosmetic procedures. The exact route and time of the infection is currently unclear because the patient had received multiple cosmetic procedures involving filler injection, and lipolysis over the course of 2 years. One possible route of infection includes a failure to maintain aseptic procedure during the invasive procedures. Furthermore, the patient also has a history of receiving facial acupuncture procedures in the childhood. Multiple acupuncture needle insertions tend to leave needle remnants at the site of procedures, and would allow M. wolinskyi to invade dermis and grow along the existing metal fragments more rapidly than without any foreign bodies. Facial acupuncture is a widely-performed childhood ritual on Jeju Island for health and longevity.

Culture and laboratory identification of NTM can be a time consuming process because the process relies on growth rate, pigmentation, and several biochemical tests [1]. Molecular analysis using 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing and TB/NTM PCR screening has made the identification process more rapid and accurate [4, 5]. In the current case, since PCR and culture results indicated the presence of NTM, rpoB gene sequencing analysis was performed using primers MF (5′-CGACCACTTCGGCAACCG-3′) and MR (5′-TCGATCGGGCACATCCGG-3′) [12]. The isolate was identified as M. wolinskyi, whose sequence similarity was 99% with M. wolinskyi ATCC 700010. Since the rpoB gene sequence is more divergent and discriminable for identification of RGM species than 16S rRNA sequence [1], we only performed rpoB sequence analysis for prompt identification of NTM species to prevent further delay in diagnosis and treatment in this case.

RGM organisms are generally known to be resistant to standard anti-tuberculosis agents, and treatment for each RGM species differs depending on the susceptibility to antibiotics. In this case, the patient had frequent exposure to medical procedure-related contamination, and the SSTI did not improve with antibiotics and remained for a long duration. Due to its chronic condition and procedure-related infection, not only bacterial but also NTM infections were suspicious. Since Korea is a known tuberculosis endemic area, when infection persists and is resistant to standard antibiotic treatment, tuberculosis infection is more likely than NTM infection. However, failure of standard anti-tuberculosis agents is strongly suggestive of NTM infection. It was also notable that there have been five cases of NTM infection in the Jeju area within a recent year [16].

Treatment regimen with clarithromycin, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin was effective in controlling the infection according to the laboratory results and this patient’s condition. The metallic foreign materials embedded at the site of abscess made the progression of NTM SSTI more severe and rapid than expected. When SSTI is associated with foreign materials, the progression of the clinical course of infection could be unusual and faster. In addition, surgical interventions like incision and drainage in addition to medical treatment is highly recommended for better prognosis when NTM infection is associated with foreign body materials.

Increased public desire to attain and accentuate perceived physical beauty have motivated development of various cosmetic techniques that include lipolysis, acupuncture, and laser therapy. However, the possible risks and side effects of repetitive cosmetic procedures remain unclear. Infection, one of most critical side effects after cosmetic practices, can cause both physical and emotional distress. Bacterial infection goes through a natural course of acute exacerbation and recovery with antibiotics. However, in chronic infection, diagnosis and following treatments tend to be delayed, resulting in permanent sequelae. Therefore, in case of chronic infection, resistant to usual antibiotics regimen, it is helpful to consider the possibility of NTM infection for prompt diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately for a better quality of life in patients.