Articles | Volume 11, issue 2
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-185-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/jbji-11-185-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
A hidden threat: a case of relapsed disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection and its therapeutic challenges
Katherine Grace Egan
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Lisa Duffy
Department of Infectious Diseases, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
Catherine Fleming
Department of Infectious Diseases, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland
Padraig McGettrick
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Eavan G. Muldoon
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Christine Kelly
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
James Woo
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Emer Kilbride
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Joseph Butler
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Richard Storey
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Christine Quinlan
Department of Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Edward McDermott
Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Jonathan Hunter
Department of Radiology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Carlos Mejia-Chew
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Infectious Diseases, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
University College Dublin School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Latest update: 30 Mar 2026
Short summary
Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection is a rare clinical presentation that is challenging to treat due to the limited number of therapeutic options available. This complex case involved multi-speciality input across two hospitals. In the absence of guidelines for the management of extra-pulmonary and disseminated disease, our case highlights which pharmacological agents were used and how surgery was utilised to achieve source control.
Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection is a rare clinical presentation that is...