Wound infections due to Mycobacterium fortuitum after polypropylene mesh inguinal hernia repair

Mycobacterium fortuitum complex is a group of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM). These opportunistic pathogens are frequently associated with infections related to surgical procedures involving biomaterials. Two cases of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection occurred in a prospective study of inguinal hernia prosthesis repairs. These infections differed from those caused by other bacteria in terms of pathogenic mechanisms, clinical manifestation and resistance to both prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotics.