Mycobacterium avium Complex: Addressing Gaps in Diagnosis and Management.

ABSTRACT: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in the environment and an important cause of disease. The most common species causing pulmonary disease are members of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). MAC pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) can be chronic, debilitating, costly, and associated with a high mortality. However, MAC diagnoses are often delayed due to the nonspecific presentation of MAC-PD and radiological findings that overlap with other pulmonary diseases. Patients with risk factors and who meet the diagnostic criteria-which include clinical, radiological, and microbiologic criteria-should be considered for treatment. Diagnosis requires 2 or more positive sputum cultures or 1 bronchoscopic specimen culture. The recommendation for those who are treated is a 3-drug regimen including ma

SUBMITTER: Daley CL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7566660 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature