Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections of the Lung.
There is an increasing appreciation for the role of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) as pathogens causing pulmonary disease, disseminated disease, or both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Species previously considered nonpathogenic have been shown to cause pulmonary infection. The majority of immunocompetent patients with NTM pulmonary infection have underlying lung disease. New diagnostic techniques such as gene probes, gas-liquid and high-pressure chromatography, and polymerase chain reaction offer significant advantages in the rapid identification of NTM species. Some of these techniques allow identification of mycobacteria directly from clinical specimens. The fluoroquinolones, rifabutin, and newer macrolides offer advances in the treatment of infections that are caused by NTM and are resistant to the traditional antimycobacterial drugs.
Kourbeti
IS
Infectious Diseases Section, VA-New York Harbor Health Care System and the Department of Internal Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, 423 East 23rd Street, New York, NY, 10010, USA. maslow.melanie@new-york.va.gov
Maslow
MJ