Lung infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections are increasingly recognized.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical and radiological findings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiology of NTM lung infections.
• To detail CT findings in NTM lung infections.
• To evaluate treatment outcomes for NTM lung infections.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 131 patients with positive NTM cultures (2005-2016).
• Inclusion criteria for NTM lung infection applied.
• Analysis of epidemiologic, clinical, microbiological, radiological, treatment, and outcome data.

Main Results:

• 34 patients included; 50% were immunodepressed (mostly HIV+).
• Common CT findings included nodules, tree-in-bud pattern, and consolidations.
• Antituberculosis drugs improved 72% of patients; antibiotics improved all patients radiologically.

Conclusions:

• NTM lung infections require complex diagnosis.
• Clinical and radiological findings are often nonspecific.
• Concomitant infections are common in NTM lung disease.