Sternotomy Infections with Mycoplasma hominis

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Abstract
Mycoplasma hominis caused sternal wound infections with mediastinitis in three patients. One infection occurred in a nonimmunocompromised man after coronary artery bypass grafting. The wound did not heal after repated debridement, closed irrigation of the mediastinum with povidone-iodine solution, and antimycoplasmal chemotherapy; muscle flap grafting was eventually required. Two infections occurred in recipients of heat-lung transplants after the isolation of mycoplasma from bronchial secretions. Although no Mycoplasma species were isolated after specific antimycoplasmal therapy was begun, the wounds still did not heal. Both patients died of other complications. Infection of wounds after sternotomy is another of an increasing number of infections caused by M. hominis in the normal and immunocompromised host. Familiarity with the morphologic characteristics of M. hominis on bacteriologic culture media may increase the recognition of this pathogen in typical clinical settings.