Hospital water system outbreak of M. abscessus spanned seven years

An outbreak investigation at a UK specialist cardiothoracic hospital identified 40 cases of Mycobacterium abscessus matching a water-system strain by whole genome sequencing between May 2019 and June 2026, affecting lung transplant recipients, patients with cystic fibrosis, non-CF bronchiectasis, and other groups, with 19 diagnosed with non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease. The report states a case-control study found no specific risk factors linked to transplant surgery or bronchoscopy, and that despite point-of-use filters, biocide treatment, and enhanced flushing reducing incidence from 12.8 to 2.2 cases per year, the outbreak strain persisted in the hospital water system and was not eliminated. The authors conclude that risk mitigation is needed for water systems accommodating vulnerable patients.

Most relevant for: Patients with lung transplants, cystic fibrosis, or non-CF bronchiectasis cared for in hospital settings with shared water systems.

Summary written by an AI model from the source text and dated by the source's publication date. Check the original before acting on it. How MedFollow selects and summarizes updates.

Informational only. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always consult current guidelines and your own clinical judgment.