Authorities confirm an outbreak of mycobacteria following aesthetic procedures in a clinic in BH | Minas Gerais

Government of Minas Gerais confirms mycobacteria outbreak in Belo Horizonte dentist clinic

The health departments of the Government of Minas Gerais and the City of Belo Horizonte confirmed an outbreak of mycobacteria following aesthetic procedures in a clinic in the center of the capital.

According to authorities, to date, 16 cases are under investigation, being a confirmed for Mycobacterium spp. and another for Mycobacterium abscessus.

Infections occurred after patients underwent double chin liposuction surgical procedure at the dentist’s office Camila Groppo, banned by health surveillance since March 11th. (understand better below)

The case is being investigated by the Civil Police of Minas Gerais, who is listening to the patients who reported her to advance the investigations.

According to the agency, around 20 women They have already denounced the professional, who has a clinic in Belo Horizonte. All reported problems caused by a bacterium.

“In this office, these people were contaminated due to inadequate material sterilization procedures. […] Unfortunately, we realize that health professionals, intending to make a profit in relation to their consultations, fail to do their duties, expose people’s health and cause very serious bodily injuries”, said prosecutor André Sperling Prado.

The Civil Police also opened an investigation and is investigating the case. At least six people gave statements at a police station at the institution. Some of them went to the Legal Medical Institute (IML) to undergo a forensic examination, an important step in following up the investigations.

“We warn that the expert examination is fundamental, fundamental evidence for establishing the crime of bodily harm. And it serves to assist in the investigations, with the possible indictment of this alleged perpetrator and forwarding of the case to the judiciary”, explained delegate Alessandro Santa Gema.

A woman who met Camilla on social media said that removing her double chin was an old dream. After the surgery, it became a nightmare.

“The treatment lasts eight months to a year, and I was hospitalized for 14 days, I had 15 drains placed in my face, I’ve already taken several cultures, several biopsies… It’s a microbacterium that is in the body, and I don’t know, I don’t know when This will end,” he said.

After the complaints, the Belo Horizonte Health Surveillance carried out an inspection at the dental clinic, which is located in the center of the capital of Minas Gerais, to verify a possible outbreak of fast-growing nontuberculous microbacterium. The place was closed on March 11th..

In a note, the Municipal Health Department stated that the inspection found some irregularities, such as “inadequate sterilization of instruments used in proceduresin addition to an insufficient quantity of these materials to meet the establishment’s demand”.

Also according to the city hall, in case of non-compliance with the ban and reopening of the clinic, there may be a fine of up to R$ 9,979.

Last week, the Regional Dentistry Council stated that Camilla Groppo had the registration disabled for not having presented the diploma within the deadline, which ended on March 5th of this year. Without registration, the professional no could practice dentistry, not even take courses.

The CRO reported that her registration was reactivated this Tuesday (26)after presenting the necessary documents.

However, to perform double chin liposuction, Dental surgeons must have a postgraduate degree, with specialization in orofacial harmonization — which was not proven by the professional.

A TV GloboCamilla Groppo’s defense showed a degree in dentistry, completed in February 2022. Her lawyer stated that the professional meets all the requirements for performing double chin lipo, but did not confirm the postgraduate course.

“She has the courses she took, which have the approval of the MEC. So, that’s valid… About that [pós-graduação]we can’t speak out, because I haven’t had access to all of Dr. Camilla’s documentation yet, but she has the necessary training, she has several courses”, said lawyer Caroline Barbosa Arantes Bittar.

Public Ministry investigates complaints from patients of dentist Camilla Groppo