NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA-A CAUSE FOR NON HEALING SURGICAL WOUNDS

Background: Non Tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) are also referred to as atypical mycobacteria which are ubiquitous in the environment and can cause colonization and infection in health care settings. Aims and Objectives: We looked at all the patients who had surgical site infection with non tuberculous bacteria from January 2016 to December 2019. Results: There were 4 patients with NTM isolated from surgical site infection. All of them had hernia surgery with mesh insitu done elsewhere. Removal of mesh was done in each of these cases and they were given Inj Amikacin, Tab levooxacin and Tab Clarithromycin to which all of them responded. Conclusion: Non tuberculous mycobacterial infections should be considered in surgical site infections which are not responding to conventional antibiotics. The morbidity associated with these infections can be prevented by following strict sterilization protocols, early detection and treatment using appropriate antibiotics and surgery.