The Mysterious, Threat We Will Confront Mycobacterium Chelonae

Background: Surgical wound infection is an internationally recognized complication which is expected to get cured in few days time. Lack of antibiotic policies added to the existing chaos in free market policies is expected to end up with mysterious resistant organisms soon in future. Objectives: To report our experience with 52 key hole protracted surgical wound infections in 23 patients. Patients and methods: Demographic data of patients who suffered post operative subcutaneous wound nodules following minimal access surgery, duration of the disease and its clinical manifestations as well as results of investigations were collected and analysed. Results: Two males and 21 females, age range 27-65 (median 42) years had 32 key-hole wound nodules and 20 persistent discharging wounds that had appeared in an average but latent period of nine weeks (range three weeks to sixmonths after surgery). Only two cultures were positive for Mycobacterium chelonae. Conclusion: Mycobacterium chelonae should be suspected in protracted surgical wounds and treated promptly with meticulous frequent dressings, wound excision and clarithromycin plus ceftazidime. Keywords: surgical wounds, subcutaneous, mycobacterium, catalase, resistant organisms.Sudan Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 3 (2) 2008: pp. 133-13