RESUMEN
Outbreaks of soft tissue or skin infection due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria are reported frequently in scientific journals but in general the infection source in these outbreaks remains unknown. In Venezuela, in two distinct outbreaks, one after breast augmentation surgery and another after hydrolipoclasy therapy, 16 patients contracted a soft tissue infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus. Searching for the possible environmental infection sources in these outbreaks, initially the tap water (in the hydrolipoclasy therapy outbreak) and a surgical skin marker (in the breast implant surgery outbreak), were identified as the infection sources. Molecular typing of the strains with a variable number tandem repeat typing assay confirmed the tap water as the infection source but the molecular typing technique excluded the skin marker. We discuss the results and make a call for the implementation of stringent hygiene and disinfection guidelines for cosmetic procedures in Venezuela.
Asunto(s)
Brotes de Enfermedades , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/epidemiología , Micobacterias no Tuberculosas/aislamiento & purificación , Enfermedades Cutáneas Bacterianas/epidemiología , Infecciones de los Tejidos Blandos/epidemiología , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Tipificación Molecular , Infecciones por Mycobacterium no Tuberculosas/microbiología , Enfermedades Cutáneas Bacterianas/microbiología , Infecciones de los Tejidos Blandos/microbiología , Venezuela/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
A small lightweight X-ray machine and processor are needed for use in military medicine for humanitarian service missions, training exercises, and even tactical situations. Size and weight have frequently been a limiting factor for the use of X-ray equipment in military medicine. The large size and great weight of X-ray equipment often limit its use and make this diagnostic modality unsuitable. I believe that a smaller X-ray machine, combined with the new improved lightweight Polaroid processor and film, can provide adequate X-ray exams in a high percentage of patients.