title: Update on pulmonary disease due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
abstract: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging worldwide as significant causes of chronic pulmonary infection, posing a number of challenges for both clinicians and researchers. While a number of studies worldwide have described an increasing prevalence of NTM pulmonary disease over time, population-based data are relatively sparse and subject to ascertainment bias. Furthermore, the disease is geographically heterogeneous. While some species are commonly implicated worldwide (Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium abscessus), others (e.g., Mycobacterium malmoense, Mycobacterium xenopi) are regionally important. Thoracic computed tomography, microbiological testing with identification to the species level, and local epidemiology must all be taken into account to accurately diagnose NTM pulmonary disease. A diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease does not necessarily imply that treatment is required; a patient-centered approach is essential. When treatment is required, multidrug therapy based on appropriate susceptibility testing for the species in question should be used. New diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are needed to optimize the management of these complicated infections.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Box 102359-DUMC, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: jason.stout@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Jung
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Koh
authors.affiliation: Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wing Wai
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Yew
mesh_terms: D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology
keywords: Epidemiology; Immunocompetent; Lung diseases; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Therapy