Lancet
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Increasing numbers of individuals with cystic fibrosis are becoming infected with the multidrug-resistant non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) Mycobacterium abscessus, which causes progressive lung damage and is extremely challenging to treat. How this organism is acquired is not currently known, but there is growing concern that person-to-person transmission could occur. We aimed to define the mechanisms of acquisition of M abscessus in individuals with cystic fibrosis. ⋯ The Wellcome Trust, Papworth Hospital, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, UK Health Protection Agency, Medical Research Council, and the UKCRC Translational Infection Research Initiative.