Treatment of infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are a heterogeneous group of microorganisms that can often cause human infection, although they may also be considered to be contaminants or colonisers on occasions. The management of these infections must necessarily take into account the identification of isolated species and their in vitro susceptibility testing (although not for all of them), as well as the characteristics of the patient, because these treatments are usually prolonged and must be carried out by experts in the management of these infections. Classically divided into slowly growing mycobacteria and rapidly growing mycobacteria, the treatment regimens and the antibiotics used are different for both groups. In addition, in certain circumstances, this treatment must necessarily be linked to other measures (removal of foreign bodies, surgery) in order to maximise the likelihood of curing the patient.