Mycobacterium abscessus in cystic fibrosis lung transplant recipients: report of 2 cases and risk for recurrence

Transpl Infect Dis. 2009 Jun;11(3):243-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3062.2009.00378.x. Epub 2009 Mar 9.

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus is increasingly recognized as an important pathogen in some individuals with advancing lung disease related to cystic fibrosis (CF). Because of its resistance to antimicrobial agents and virulence, its presence in the lungs of potential lung transplant recipients can be problematic. We present 2 cases of individuals with CF in whom M. abscessus was present in the preoperative sputum cultures. The organism manifested different degrees of invasiveness in the 2 cases after transplantation with different outcomes, suggesting an approach to future candidates for lung transplantation that may be of clinical significance to their physicians and surgeons.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cystic Fibrosis / surgery*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / microbiology
  • Lung Diseases / pathology
  • Lung Transplantation*
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / microbiology
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous* / pathology
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / classification
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Recurrence
  • Risk
  • Sputum / microbiology