Information on Mycobacterium abscessus

 What are nontuberculous mycobacterium?

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) are a group of bacteria naturally present in the environment, such as soil and water. These bacteria can cause significant lung damage in both healthy people and those with underlying lung disease.

There are more than 180 species of NTM. One of these is MABS of which there are three subspecies:

  • Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (M. a. abscessus)
  • Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense (M. a. massiliense)
  • Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies bolletii (M. a. bolletii)

Who gets MABS?

The reasons for why some people are more susceptible to getting MABS chest infections is not well understood. We know that some people are at higher risk of getting a MABS chest infection and developing lung disease as a result of the MABS chest infection. While the overall numbers of people that have MABS chest infections is small, these rates are growing especially in people with an underlying lung conditions such as:

  • Cystic fibrosis (CF)
  • Bronchiectasis
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
  • Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)

How is MABS infection treated?

Treatment for diagnosed MABS lung disease requires a team of skilled and experienced physicians to tailor a treatment protocol to each person. The typical treatment regimen for MABS chest infections involves three or more antibiotics. However, the ideal time to start treatment is not known especially when some people with MABS chest infections can clear the infection without any treatments whereas other people with MABS chest infections will progress to MABS lung disease.

The current medications used for MABS infections are complex and can have significant side-effects for the patient. The medications can cause the patient to become unwell due to either the toxicity of the medications used or due to the medications being poorly tolerated by the patient. The cost of these medications are very expensive, and the costs continue to escalate with medications administered for up to two years.