title: Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of Mycobacterium kansasii lung disease in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While Mycobacterium kansasii is a common cause of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease in many developed countries, M. kansasii is infrequently isolated in Korea. We investigated the clinical and radiological features and treatment outcomes of M. kansasii lung disease in Korea retrospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified 41 patients with M. kansasii lung disease who met the diagnostic criteria for NTM lung disease in two tertiary referral hospitals in Seoul, Korea, between January 1998 and December 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Their median age was 63 years [interquartile range (IQR) 51-75 years] and 33 (81%) were men. Twenty-three patients (56%) were smokers and 13 patients (32%) had previous pulmonary tuberculosis. The most common radiographic findings were nodules (n = 22, 54%) and consolidation (n = 22, 54%). Cavitation was present in 13 patients (32%). Thirty-one patients (76%) were treated with isoniazid, rifampin, and ethambutol. The median treatment duration was 16 months (IQR 9-18 months). The negative conversion rate after 12 months of treatment was 95%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians should be aware of the various radiographic manifestations of M. kansasii lung disease. With appropriate treatment, these patients have a good prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Kyeong
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Won-Jung
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.forename: Tae Sun
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Shim
authors.forename: O Jung
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019909:Mycobacterium kansasii; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents