Mycobacterium abscessus infection of the parotid region

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus is one of the fast-growing mycobacteria associated to localized infections of post-traumatic injuries, surgical wounds, pulmonary chronic infections and disseminated cutaneous infections in immunosupressed patients. Fast-growing mycobacteria infections of the parotid region have been rarely described. We report the case of a Mycobacterium abscessus infection of the superficial lobe of the parotid gland without immune compromise, previous surgeries or apparent trauma. Thesemycobacteria should be considered at the time of clinical and laboratory diagnosis, as they are emerging bacteria and could present in an unusual manner, in order not to delay the diagnosis of the etiological agent because they require long antibiotic therapy and are pretty resistant to antibiotics specially M. abscessus which is one of the most resistant