Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection

Pulmonary non tuberculous mycobacterial infection refers to pulmonary infection caused by a large number (at least 150¹⁰) mycobacterial species other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Certain species are however much more commoner than others.

As with Mycobacterium tuberculosis they commonly cause pulmonary infection.

These organisms include:

• Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare: common: ~61% (on bronchial secretions)
  •  : pulmonary MAIC infection
• Mycobacterium kansasii: common: ~24%
• Mycobacterium fortuitum:
• Mycobacteriumgordonae:
• Mycobacterium szulgai:
• Mycobacteriumscrofulaceum:
• Mycobacterium xenopi:
• Mycobacterium chelonae:pulmonary mycobacterium chelonae infection
• Mycobacterium simiae:
• Mycobacterium abscesssus  ²:pulmonary mycobacterium abscessus infection

Risk factors

The organisms have a prediction for individuals with preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or with debilitating illnesses or various forms of immunocompromise.

Associations

There may be an association achalasia of gastric cardia and M. fortuitum/chelonae infection.