A journalist and presenter, who had her breast implants replaced, ended up with a potentially deadly mycobacteria infection.
Mariana Martins, 36, went under the knife to have her silicone implants exchanged.
But a few days after the op, she began to experience pain and a burning sensation in her right breast.
Her surgeon drained the incision site, stitched her up, and sent a tissue sample to a lab for analysis.
Tests revealed that Martins had a “rapidly growing mycobacterial infection”, following the March procedure in Goiânia, Brazil, as reported on Need To Know.
Some mycobacteria can cause diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy.
If not treated in time, or if they infect individuals with weak immune systems, they can lead to death.
Martins said: “My infectious disease specialist was adamant I contracted it during the surgery.
“But he couldn’t say if it was on the implant or where exactly the contamination occurred.”
On medical advice, Martins had her implants removed and was prescribed a course of antibiotics.
She said: “It’s the emotional aspect that’s hitting me the hardest. I’m scared of other issues.
“I worry that an opportunistic infection might affect me.”
On average, treatment for mycobacterial infections takes longer than for common infections.
It’s believed Martins was advised to get her implants removed to make the clinical response faster.
She told her 395,000 Instagram followers on Wednesday (31 Jul): “I hope the attention my case is receiving helps hospitals improve their infection control measures.
“I’m continuing to work and take care of myself, and I’m confident in the treatment.”
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