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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
10:10
A 3D Human Lung Tissue Model for Functional Studies on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Published on: October 5, 2015
Nontuberculous mycobacterial lung diseases.
Babafemi Taiwo1, Jeff Glassroth
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. b-taiwo@northwestern.edu
Infectious Disease Clinics of North America
|August 3, 2010
Summary
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause lung disease and can mimic tuberculosis. Rapid molecular tests aid diagnosis, but treatment requires combination antibiotics like macrolides.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental bacteria.
- Over 115 NTM species exist, but only a subset cause pulmonary disease.
- NTM infections can clinically and radiographically resemble tuberculosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of differentiating NTM from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- To discuss diagnostic approaches for NTM lung disease.
- To outline current therapeutic strategies for NTM infections.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on clinical, imaging, and microbiological data.
- Molecular techniques are increasingly used for rapid discrimination from M. tuberculosis.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing guides treatment selection.
Main Results:
- Molecular tests offer rapid differentiation but may have variable sensitivity.
- NTM species exhibit diverse antibiotic response patterns.
- Medical treatment success is variable and often requires combination therapy.
Conclusions:
- Accurate laboratory discrimination between NTM and M. tuberculosis is crucial.
- Macrolides are a cornerstone of therapy for many NTM species.
- Effective NTM treatment necessitates combination antibiotic regimens.
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