Pulmonary Infection Caused by a Rapidly-Growing Mycobacterium (RGM)

 

Species of mycobacteria usually involved:

(1) M. abscessus

(2) M. chelonae

(3) M. fortuitum

 

A patient who develops a pulmonary infection with a RGM is typically an older adult.

 

Risk factors for pulmonary infection:

(1) underlying lung disease (COPD, bronchiectasis, radiation fibrosis, etc)

(2) solid cancer

(3) hematologic neoplasm

(4) hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)

(5) history of recent chemotherapy

(6) history of recent corticosteroid therapy

(7) history of smoking

 

where:

• Some patients are also infected with other mycobacterial species such as M. avium-intracellulare.