Overview

• Three U.S. patients contracted difficult-to-treat infections following stem cell treatments in Mexico, prompting a CDC alert.
• Infections involved Mycobacterium abscessus, known for its resistance to standard antibiotics and ability to cause severe health issues.
• The patients, treated in Colorado, were exposed to the bacteria through procedures in clinics over 100 miles apart in Mexico.
• Health experts stress the importance of vigilance and regulatory oversight for medical tourism, especially for unapproved treatments.
• Ongoing treatments and investigations underscore the persistent and complex nature of the infections contracted abroad.