Can Colony Morphology of Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Inform Clinical Outcome?

In a retrospective study, rough compared with smooth MABC colony type was significantly associated with cough, cavitary pulmonary disease, and failure of cure.

Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) infection is multifaceted and succeeds in fewer than half of cases. Cultured MABC exists in smooth and rough colony forms. The smooth phenotype has abundant glycopeptidoglycans in the cell wall, while the rough form has a lower glycopeptidoglycan levels and tends to aggregate in cords. Few studies have addressed the role of colony morphology on clinical outcome. To explore this further, researchers in Sweden performed a retrospective observational cohort study in consecutive patients with culture-verified MABC infection from 2009 to 2020. Single isolates were recultured from each patient, and colony morphology was determined with light microscopy.

Among 71 cultured isolates, 23 developed ro…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Can Colony Morphology of Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Inform Clinical Outcome?

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Reviewing Author