Laboratory Diagnosis of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium Infections in Bronchiectasis Patients: Issues and Controversies

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental microbes that can cause pulmonary infection and are especially problematic in bronchiectasis patients with or without cystic fibrosis (CF). Microbiological identification of NTM in these patients is difficult given the high microbial burden in the lungs and the need to differentiate between colonization and transient and true infection. Determining if and when to initiate antimicrobial treatment against this multi-drug-resistant group of organisms is also challenging.
Source: Clinical Microbiology Newsletter - Category: Microbiology Authors: Source Type: news