Mycobacterium abscessus
![M. abscessus grown in starch-based medium on a petri dish. Colonies appear as light yellow streaks.](/Images/godic/202501/28/Mycobacterium_abscessus0050.jpg")
Mycobacterium abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacterium that is a common water contaminant. It was until recently (1992) thought to be a subspecies of Mycobacterium chelonae. M. abscessus can cause chronic lung disease, post-traumatic wound infections, and disseminated cutaneous diseases, mostly in patients with suppressed immune systems.