Successful Treatment of Refractory Disseminated Mycobacterium abscessus Infection Using Interferon Gamma

Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium of low virulence that is capable of causing disseminated infections in the immunocompromised host. These infections require multiple antimicrobial agents for effective therapy, with difficulty in eradicating the pathogen from intracellular locations. We report a case of disseminated M. abscessus infection resistant to conventional antimicrobials, with an excellent response to interferon gamma therapy. In addition, the underlying myelodysplastic syndrome improved, with decreasing transfusion requirements and improved blood cellularity owing to therapy with interferon gamma.