Treatment of the Less Common Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease caused by the less common nontuberculous mycobacteria have distinct features depending on the species. Diagnostic evaluation follows the established criteria for all nontuberculous mycobacteria, but with certain qualifications given species-specific and regional differences in pathogenicity. Clinicians should first institute nonpharmacologic management and evaluate clinical, radiologic, and microbiologic factors in the decision regarding antimycobacterial therapy. Treatment is challenging, and evidence-based recommendations are limited for most species. Drug susceptibility testing is used to help with regimen selection; however, this approach is imperfect given the uncertain correlation between in vitro activity and clinical response for most drugs.