Opportunistic mycobacterial diseases

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are hardy environmental organisms: >200 species have been identified, with highly variable pathogenicity. NTM infection is usually acquired from the environment and can be asymptomatic or associated with pulmonary disease (NTM-PD), particularly in patients with immunocompromise, chronic lung conditions or impaired mucociliary clearance. The incidence of NTM isolates and NTM-PD is rising in resource-rich settings. Diagnosis of NTM-PD requires both positive microbiology and typical clinical and radiological features.