Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Cutaneous Infection

Purpose of Review: The worldwide increase in skin infections due to Mycobacterium abscessus, especially in Latin America, and its difficult diagnosis and treatment, makes a review of literature crucial in reminding and updating physicians about its presentation, diagnosing techniques, and management. Recent Findings: Outbreaks are associated with cosmetic surgeries and medical tourism, but any kind of skin lesion can become infected presenting as negative typical cultures and unsuccessful empirical treatments; therefore, a high clinical suspicion is required. Molecular techniques are promising new diagnosing alternatives and treatment should be guided by susceptibility tests. Summary: Mycobacterium abscessus complex skin infections are concerning due to difficult diagnosis, burdensome treatment, drug resistance, and high cost of management. Usually associated to cosmetic procedures, especially medical tourism, it can also be related to other incisions (C-section, injections, laparoscopy, etc.). Diagnosis requires clinical suspicion and consists of phenotypic and molecular methods to recognize the organisms to a subspecies level. Drug treatment frequently involves surgical debridement and antibiotics with special concern about resistance and adverse events.