Mycobacterium chimaera: Coming out of Nowhere to Dominate 2016 Infection Prevention Discussions

Mycobacterium chimaera is a bacterium of the 21st century. The organism was named in 2004 when molecular assays showed it to belong to the Mycobacterium avium complex. More specifically, it was found to be a close relative of Mycobacterium intracellulare. Merely a decade later, M. chimaera turned out to be the cause of infections associated with heater-cooler units used during open-heart surgery. There are still less than 100 confirmed cases worldwide, but the mycobacterial species has captured the attention of patients and caregivers alike because many of these infections are manifested months to years following surgery. No one currently knows the number of people who have been infected with M. chimaera or how many will ultimately be affected.