title: Elimination of Mycobacterium intracellulare from sputum after bronchial hygiene.
abstract: Three cases are presented, each of which had more than 20 positive cultures of sputum for Mycobacterium intracellulare, infiltrations, and a history of bronchiectasis. Two had complete and the third nearly complete, sputum conversion during a program of bronchial hygiene without chemotherapy. It is probable that these cases were only noninvasive colonizations in previously diseases lungs. Recommendations are given for a therapeutic approach in such cases.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology