An outbreak of skin abscesses occurred in Adelaide, Australia, in association with biomesotherapy, an alternative therapy practice. Mycobacterium chelonae was identified in 8 patient and 3 environmental samples. Our findings show M. chelonae infection can be associated with alternative therapies when infection-control breaches occur. Tighter regulations of alternative therapy practices are needed.
Keywords: Australia; Mycobacterium chelonae; alternative therapy; bacteria; biomesotherapy; infection control; mycobacterium; outbreak; rapid growing mycobacterium; rare pathogens; skin abscess.