Mycobacterium abscessus disease in lung transplant recipients: Diagnosis and management

Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MAbsC) disease in lung transplant recipients is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of graft function decline and suboptimal outcomes. Lung transplant recipients appear to be at the highest risk of MAbsC among solid organ transplant recipients, as they have more intense immunosuppression, and the organisms preferentially inhabit the lungs. MAbsC is the most resistant species of rapidly growing mycobacteria and difficult to treat, causing considerable mortality and morbidity in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Herein we describe the risk factors, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnostics, and treatment strategies of MAbsC in lung transplant candidates and recipients.