The non-tuberculous pulmonary disease experience in a general respiratory clinic in the UK

<b>Introduction:</b> Identifcation of non-tuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is challenging as culture confirmation of the NTM organism can be difficult.&nbsp;In addition, treatment is not straightforward due to the prolonged treatment course and potential drug toxicity. The incidence of NTM pulmonary disease in a respiratory clinic in Hertfordshire was measured along with associated patient characteristics and outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> The notes for patients with respiratory microbiology specimens culturing a non-tuberculous mycobacterium species were reviewed from 2018 - 2019.&nbsp;Epidemiological details and clinical details of patients including treatment were collected. <b>Results:</b> 93 patients were identified with sputum or bronchial wash cultures of NTM.&nbsp;Mean age was 67 years. 61% of patients had underlying respiratory disease. 25% received treatment. <b>Conclusion:</b> Isolation of an NTM species in sputum or bronchial wash does not always indicate significant NTM-PD and need treatment.&nbsp;The majority of patients where an NTM was cultured did have underlying lung disease.&nbsp;Further review is needed to investigate whether criteria for treatment were met in th e group when an NTM species was cultured.