 The term "fast growing" is a reference to a growth rate of 3 or 4 days, when compared to other Mycobacteria that may take weeks to grow out on laboratory media.Pulmonary infections of "M. fortuitum" are uncommon, but "Mycobacterium fortuitum" can cause local skin disease, osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone), joint infections and infections of the eye after trauma.