Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus (M. abscessus) (M. abscessus)

Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus is a rapidly growing, non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that is recognized as one of the most pathogenic and drug-resistant members of its genus (Nessar et al., 2012, PMID: 22311617). It is a common cause of chronic pulmonary infections, particularly in individuals with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis, and can also cause skin, soft tissue, and bone infections following trauma or surgery (StatPearls, "Mycobacterium Abscessus"). The organism is characterized by its high level of intrinsic resistance to most conventional antibiotics, including many beta-lactams and macrolides, the latter often mediated by the inducible erm(41) gene (Nash et al., 2009, PMID: 19414511). Because it is a whole bacterial organism rather than a single molecular target, therapeutic strategies involve multi-drug regimens that simultaneously target various essential bacterial processes such as protein synthesis via the 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits and cell wall biosynthesis (Degiacomi et al., 2019, PMID: 31114470). The clinical management of M. abscessus is exceptionally difficult due to this extensive resistance profile and the potential for severe side effects from prolonged antibiotic therapy.

Other names

M. abscessus sensu strictoMycobacterium abscessusM. abscessus subsp. abscessus

Antibiotics targeting this organism act by inhibiting protein synthesis (e.g., amikacin, clarithromycin), cell wall synthesis (e.g., imipenem, cefoxitin), or ATP synthase (e.g., bedaquiline) (Degiacomi et al., 2019, PMID: 31114470).