Lung Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

Following the discovery of mycobacterium tuberculosis by Robert Koch in 1882, several other mycobacteria were identified as well. However, they were not recognized as causing disease in humans until the 1980s. Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment. They are responsible for opportunistic infections that affect not only the immunocompromised host but also an immunocompetent individual. The incidence of the disease from NTM has been gradually increasing worldwide, becoming, in recent years, an emerging public health problem. In 2007, the American Thoracic Society [ATS] published a clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacteria. This was chiefly due to previous controversial experts’ opinions on how to establish the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Therefore, current guidelines continue to be based on both experts’ opinions, and some new guidelines; but no universal recommendations exist. With new medical advances based on molecular microbiology, the diagnosis of most NTM is not only more precise but much faster than before. In this activity, we provide an in-depth look at how NTM presents, the clinical features, and methods to make a rapid diagnosis and identification of NTM. An interprofessional team approach based on the most up-to-date literature on the topic is vital if one wants to improve outcomes.