Rapidly-growing mycobacteria (RGM) may cause pulmonary infection in patients with impaired host defenses. These infections can be difficult to cure, with an intermediate prognosis.
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.