A narrative review of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: microbiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management challenges

Expert Rev Respir Med. 2023 Nov 14. doi: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2283135. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a diverse group of mycobacterial species that are ubiquitous in the environment. They are opportunistic pathogens that can cause a range of diseases in both animals and humans, especially in individuals with underlying structural lung disease or compromised immune systems.AREAS COVERED: This paper provides an in-depth analysis of NTM infections, including microbiology, environmental sources and transmission pathways, risk factors for disease, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches, guideline-based treatment recommendations, drugs under development, and management challenges.EXPERT OPINION: Future approaches to the management of NTM pulmonary disease will require therapies that are well tolerated, can be taken for a shorter time period and perhaps less frequently, have few drug-drug interactions, and are active against the various strains of pathogens. As the numbers of infections increase, such therapies will be welcomed by clinicians and patients.PMID:37962332 | DOI:10.1080/17476348.2023.2283135
Source: Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine - Category: Respiratory Medicine Authors: Source Type: research