Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus Infection in a Three-Year-Old Girl With CHARGE Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection is a life-threatening disease that mainly occurs in immunocompromised patients. It is known for its multidrug resistance, and the management for disseminated conditions is not well established. We report a case of severe disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a three-year-old immunocompetent girl with coloboma, heart defect, atresia choanae, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies/deafness (CHARGE) syndrome. Following microbiologic diagnosis, treatment was started with azithromycin and imipenem/cilastatin, along with exchanges of the intravenous device. However, subsequent deterioration of her condition required the admission to the intensive care unit and finally led to the introduction of a four-agent regimen with azithromycin, amikacin, linezolid, and tigecycline, whose sensitivity was confirmed later. After the initiation of sensitive antimicrobial therapy, she gradually recovered and was discharged with oral azithromycin and sitafloxacin. Immunocompetent pediatric cases of this infection are rare and have been rarely reported. Although her immune function showed no abnormalities, we identified several predisposing factors related to her post-septic condition and her congenital medical history through an investigation of her clinical features with a literature review. While some previous cases of disseminated rapid-growing mycobacterial infections were successfully managed by intravascular device removal alone, this case underscores the need for tailored regimens in pediatric Mycobacterium abscessus infections.