TB Research

Pulmonary <i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i> infection treated in combination with inhaled tigecycline

Andreas Arnholdt Pedersen, Andreas Fløe, Anders Løkke, Ole Hilberg

BMJ Case Reports · 2023-12

Abstract

Pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium abscessus is difficult to treat, as there is currently no reliable evidence-based treatment. Treatment is long, complex and has many side effects. In this case, we report a patient with treatment-refractory pulmonary M . abscessus disease, treated with inhaled tigecycline. Treatment with inhaled tigecycline lasted 15 months with comparably limited side effects. There were no positive mycobacterial cultures in the follow-up period of 2 years. Inhaled tigecycline is an option in the treatment of pulmonary M. abscessus when first-line treatment fails. Additional research should investigate this further.

MeSH terms

  • Tigecycline
  • Mycobacterium abscessus
  • Medicine
  • Pulmonary infection
  • Refractory (planetary science)
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Culture conversion
  • Surgery
  • Intensive care medicine
  • Antibiotics
  • Internal medicine