@128128terry11t Any symptoms? I grew M chimaera & M gordonae at various times, but not M abscessus as far as I know. Next sample did not show either one, but I was on antibiotics at the time, so don't know if that kicked it, or it was just what my pulmo calls a tainted sample since both are present everywhere along with M. intracellulare. I have been antibiotic-free, but not MAC-free for 6 months & still doing fine with airway clearance - pulmo is happy with status quo.

Does your doc have any plan to repeat tests soon?
Sue

@sueinmn That is great to know you had those bugs one month then not the next, I just had a gordonae show up but my Dr wasnt worried, hopefully it goes.

@128128terry11t @heathert and @sueinmn I moved your discussion about M chimaera to this existing discussion where @alm2019 @dulwich @megan123 @dongreiner1957 @mulenga021 are also talking about chimaera.

According to this 2018 article Mycobacterium Chimaera: A Rare Presentation - NCBI: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6080730/
- "Mycobacterium chimaera is an indolent nontuberculous mycobacterium which is abundant in soil, dust, and water. ... it has been recognized as an emerging opportunistic threat to patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery and open heart procedures requiring extracorporeal devices."
- "Treatment of M. chimaera is the same as other Mycobacterium avium complex infections, including two to three antimicrobials for at least 12 months and often up to 18 months. Commonly used first-line drugs include macrolides, ethambutol, and rifamycins."

You may also be interested in this discussion on Connect:
Just found out I have mycobacterium abscessus! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/just-found-out-i-have-mycobacteria-adscessus/

Terry, have your doctors suggested going back on antibiotics for a period of time or using other treatment options?