CDC: Outbreak of extrapulmonary M. abscessus infections linked to stem cell clinics in Mexico

In 2022, three U.S. patients developed extrapulmonary M. abscessus infections after receiving embryonic stem cell injections in three cities in Mexico to treat multiple sclerosis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Public health experts suspect a common infected source since isolates from two patients were identified by whole genomic sequencing as M. abscessus subspecies massiliense of a single clone, distinct from known dominant circulating clones. CDC advises clinicians to be vigilant for similar cases and to provide guidance for persons considering medical tourism.