Successful lung transplantation for chronic Mycobacterium abscessus infection in advanced cystic fibrosis, a case series.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is difficult to treat and considered a contra-indication for lung transplantation in most centers. We present four CF patients with chronic pulmonary M abscessus infection, in whom lung transplantation was performed. Through intensive treatment before transplantation, we achieved control of the infection in all but one patient. After a mean of 16 months of follow up, 3 patients are doing well, without evidence of local or disseminated recurrence. One patient died early post-transplant due to an unrelated cause. These findings support the possibility of lung transplantation with favorable outcome in CF patients with M abscessus infection.