Volume 5, Number 5—October 1999
Research
Abscesses due to Mycobacterium abscessus Linked to Injection of Unapproved Alternative Medication
Karin Galil*
, Lisa A. Miller†, Mitchell A. Yakrus*, Richard J. Wallace‡, David G. Mosley§, Bob England§, Gwen Huitt¶, Michael M. McNeil*, and Bradley A. Perkins*
, Lisa A. Miller†, Mitchell A. Yakrus*, Richard J. Wallace‡, David G. Mosley§, Bob England§, Gwen Huitt¶, Michael M. McNeil*, and Bradley A. Perkins*Table
Persons who received presumed adrenal cortex extract (ACE*) and reported an abscess and persons who received ACE* but did not develop an abscess, United States, January 1, 1995, to August 18, 1996
| Patient and treatment characteristics | Persons with abscesses (n = 87) | Persons without abscesses (n = 42) |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45 years | 46 years |
| (Range) | (15-74) | (20-77) |
| Sex | ||
| Female | 81 (93%) | 35 (83%) |
| Male | 6 (7%) | 7 (17%) |
| Median dose | 1 cc | 1 cc |
| (Range) | (1-2 cc) | (1-10 cc) |
| Dose frequency | ||
| Single | 35 (40%) | 11 (26%) |
| Monthly | 25 (29%) | 10 (24%) |
| Source of injection | ||
| Provider | 77 (89%) | 34 (81%) |
| Self/home | 9 (10%) | 8 (19%) |
| Both | 1 (1%) | |
| Primary route of administration | ||
| Intramuscular | 86 (99%) | 36 (86%) |
| Intravenous | 1 (1%) | 6 (14%) |
| Intramuscular site | ||
| Gluteal | 82 (95%) | 29 (69%) |
| Other | 4 (5%) | 13 (31%) |
| Indicationa | ||
| Weight loss | 61 (70%) | 23 (55%) |
| Fatigue | 11 (13%) | 9 (21%) |
| Hypoadrenalism | 9 (10%) | 10 (24%) |
| Other | 13 (15%) | 8 (19%) |
aSome persons received ACE* for more than one indication.
