Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections—A neglected and emerging problem

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases Vol. 92; pp. S46 - S50
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Imran, Tiberi, Simon, Farooqi, Joveria, Jabeen, Kauser, Yeboah-Manu, Dorothy, Migliori, Giovanni Battista, Hasan, Rumina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Canada Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Diagnosis; Epidemiology; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Tuberculosis endemic regions; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Diagnosis; Tuberculosis endemic regions; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.02.022

•Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) inhabit many niches, including man-made, and cause infections in humans.•Infection with NTM is not considered until late in the course of disease.•Diagnosis needs a high index of suspicion and combined efforts of microbiologists and physicians.•Rapid diagnostic and prognostic markers need to be developed for NTM infections. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous dwellers of environmental niches and are an established cause of natural and nosocomial infections. The incidence of NTM infections is rising owing to a growing population of immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals, complex medical and surgical procedures, as well as increased awareness and diagnostic capabilities. The prevalence of different NTM varies between continents, regions, and countries. The true global burden of pulmonary and extrapulmonary disease is unknown and estimates are subject to under and/or over-estimation. Diagnosis requires confirmation by isolation of NTM along with clinical and radiological criteria, which may be suboptimal at all levels. Susceptibility testing is complex and clinical breakpoints are not available for many of the drugs. Frequently, NTM infections are not considered until late in the course of disease. Improved and rapid detection of tuberculosis cases in high-burden countries has, however, also brought NTM infections into the limelight, and has identified a need for research efforts towards rapid diagnostic tests and the identification of biomarkers to monitor the treatment response in patients with NTM infections.