Case Commentary: Another prong of attack? Topical antibiotic instillation with negative pressure wound therapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial skin and soft tissue infections

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) skin infections remain therapeutically challenging. Given the diversity in infections, host responses, and antimicrobials, clinical guidelines are often built on case series and observational studies. In this commentary, we respond to a paper by Stemkens et al. that introduces an emerging strategy: adjunctive negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time combined with topical antibiotics for refractory NTM skin and soft tissue infections. We delve into the primary considerations surrounding this innovative approach.

Automated summary

This commentary discusses an emerging treatment strategy for refractory NTM skin and soft tissue infections, which involves adjunctive negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time combined with topical antibiotics. Clinical guidelines for NTM infections are often based on case series and observational studies due to the diversity in infections, host responses, and antimicrobials.