To report a case of Mycobacterium abscessus infection in a pediatric patient, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and the importance of personalized treatment for non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections.
Approach:
Case Presentation: A 6-year-old boy presented with fever and abdominal pain. His medical history included a two-week period of high fever and diarrhea. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified Mycobacterium abscessus as the pathogen, leading to an individualized therapy regimen.
Key Findings:
Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) enabled rapid identification of Mycobacterium abscessus as the causative pathogen.
An individualized treatment regimen including Imipenem, Azithromycin, and Linezolid was implemented, resulting in significant clinical improvement.
Interpretation:
The case highlights the diagnostic challenges and the importance of personalized treatment in pediatric NTM infections.
Limitations:
Limited clinical experience and evidence-based treatment guidelines for pediatric NTM infections.
The rarity of NTM infections in children complicates data collection and analysis.
Conclusion:
This case highlights the need for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for pediatric patients with NTM infections.
