Mycobacterium abscessus Displays Fitness for Fomite Transmission.

is a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) increasingly reported in soft tissue infections and chronic lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis. The environmental source of has not been definitively identified, but NTM have been detected in soil and water. To determine the potential of soil-derived as an infectious source, we explored the association, growth, and survival of with defined mineral particulates, including kaolin, halloysite, and silicone dioxide, and house dust as possible fomites. physically associated with particulates, and the growth of was enhanced in the presence of both kaolin and house dust. survived desiccation for 2 weeks but was not viable after 3 weeks. The rate of decline of viability during desiccation was reduced in the presence of house dust. The evidence for enhanced growth and survival of during alternating growth and drying periods suggests that dissemination could occur when in wet or dry environments. These studies are important to understand environmental survival and acquisition of NTM. The environmental source of pulmonary infections is not known. Fomites are nonliving carriers of infectious agents and may contribute to acquisition of This study provides evidence that growth is enhanced in the presence of particulates, using kaolin, an abundant natural clay mineral, and house dust as experimental fomites. Moreover, survived desiccation for up to 2 weeks in the presence of house dust, kaolin, and several chemically defined mineral particulates; mycobacterial viability during extended periods of dessication was enhanced by the presence of house dust. The growth characteristics of with particulates suggest that a fomite mechanism of transmission may contribute to acquisition, which may lead to strategies to better control infections by and related organisms.