[Modern etio-pathogenesis and diagnosis of mycobacterioses]

Over the last decades the incidence of infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has increased. It has been noted in various regions of the world and it seems to concern also our country. The aim of this review is to call attention to clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria of mycobacterioses. The environmental sources of NTM, predispositions to dissemination of NTM infection and current epidemiological data on mycobacterioses are discussed. Since the accuracy of mycobacterial strain identification is most important for microbiological diagnosis of disease, it is suggested to perform it according to modern requirements, exclusively in selected, well-equipped laboratories.