Notes from the Field: Potential Outbreak of Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense Infections from Stem Cell Treatment Clinics in Mexico - Arizona and Colorado, 2022.

Mycobacterium abscessus is an intrinsically drug-resistant, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium; extrapulmonary infections have been reported in association with medical tourism (1). During November-December 2022, two Colorado hospitals (hospitals A and B) treated patient A, a Colorado woman aged 30-39 years, for M. abscessus meningitis. In October 2022, she had received intrathecal donor embryonic stem cell injections in Baja California, Mexico to treat multiple sclerosis and subsequently experienced headaches and fevers, consistent with meningitis. Her cerebrospinal fluid revealed neutrophilic pleocytosis and grew M. abscessus in culture at hospital A. Hospital A's physicians consulted hospital B's infectious diseases (ID) physicians to co-manage this patient (2).

α1-Antitrypsin Binds to the Glucocorticoid Receptor with Anti-Inflammatory and Antimycobacterial Significance in Macrophages.

α1-Antitrypsin (AAT), a serine protease inhibitor, is the third most abundant protein in plasma. Although the best-known function of AAT is irreversible inhibition of elastase, AAT is an acute-phase reactant and is increasingly recognized to have a panoply of other functions, including as an anti-inflammatory mediator and a host-protective molecule against various pathogens. Although a canonical receptor for AAT has not been identified, AAT can be internalized into the cytoplasm and is known to affect gene regulation. Because AAT has anti-inflammatory properties, we examined whether AAT binds the cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in human macrophages. We report the finding that AAT binds to GR using several approaches, including coimmunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and microscale thermophoresis. We also performed in silico molecular modeling and found that binding between AAT and GR has a plausible stereochemical basis. The significance of this interaction in macrophages is evinced by AAT inhibition of LPS-induced NF-κB activation and IL-8 production as well as AAT induction of angiopoietin-like 4 protein, which are, in part, dependent on GR. Furthermore, this AAT-GR interaction contributes to a host-protective role against mycobacteria in macrophages. In summary, this study identifies a new mechanism for the gene regulation, anti-inflammatory, and host-defense properties of AAT.

Mycobacterium abscessus Meningitis Associated with Stem Cell Treatment During Medical Tourism.

Mycobacterium abscessus infections have been reported as adverse events related to medical tourism. We report M. abscessus meningitis in a patient who traveled from Colorado, USA, to Mexico to receive intrathecal stem cell injections as treatment for multiple sclerosis. We also review the management of this challenging central nervous system infection.

Management of Drug Toxicity in Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease: An Expert Panel Survey.

Adverse events are frequent in nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease treatment, but evidence to support their management is scarce. An expert panel survey on management of adverse events shows consistent opinions on management of hepatoxicity, ocular toxicity, ototoxicity, tinnitus, and gastrointestinal upset. These opinions can provide assistance in individual patient management decisions.

Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: An Official ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent over 190 species and subspecies, some of which can produce disease in humans of all ages and can affect both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites. This guideline focuses on pulmonary disease in adults (without cystic fibrosis or human immunodeficiency virus infection) caused by the most common NTM pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium xenopi among the slowly growing NTM and Mycobacterium abscessus among the rapidly growing NTM. A panel of experts was carefully selected by leading international respiratory medicine and infectious diseases societies (ATS, ERS, ESCMID, IDSA) and included specialists in pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, laboratory medicine, and patient advocacy. Systematic reviews were conducted around each of 22 PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions and the recommendations were formulated, written, and graded using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Thirty-one evidence-based recommendations about treatment of NTM pulmonary disease are provided. This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for patients with NTM pulmonary disease, including specialists in infectious diseases and pulmonary diseases.

Treatment of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: An Official ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent over 190 species and subspecies, some of which can produce disease in humans of all ages and can affect both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites. This guideline focuses on pulmonary disease in adults (without cystic fibrosis or human immunodeficiency virus infection) caused by the most common NTM pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium xenopi among the slowly growing NTM and Mycobacterium abscessus among the rapidly growing NTM. A panel of experts was carefully selected by leading international respiratory medicine and infectious diseases societies (ATS, ERS, ESCMID, IDSA) and included specialists in pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, laboratory medicine, and patient advocacy. Systematic reviews were conducted around each of 22 PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions and the recommendations were formulated, written, and graded using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Thirty-one evidence-based recommendations about treatment of NTM pulmonary disease are provided. This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for patients with NTM pulmonary disease, including specialists in infectious diseases and pulmonary diseases.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Linezolid in Tuberculosis Patients: Dosing Regimen Simulation and Target Attainment Analysis.

The prolonged treatment duration for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) makes linezolid dosing difficult because of adverse effects associated with long-term use. We sought to find the optimal dosing regimen for linezolid across different MIC values. Pharmacokinetic (PK) data from TB patients were included from Brazil, Georgia, and two U.S. sites. Population PK modeling and simulation were performed. We used an fAUC (area under the unbound drug concentration-time curve)/MIC ratio of >119 as the PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) target and minimum (trough) concentrations of drug (Cmins) of 2 and 7 mg/liter as thresholds for toxicity. The PK/PD breakpoint was defined as the highest MIC at which the probability of target attainment is >90%. A total of 104 patients with pulmonary TB were included, with a median age and weight of 37 years and 60 kg. Eighty-one percent had drug-resistant TB. The PK data were best described by a one-compartment model. The PK/PD breakpoint was 0.125 mg/liter for a total daily dose of 300 mg, while daily doses of 450 to 600 mg and 900 to 1,200 mg had PK/PD breakpoints of 0.25 and 0.50 mg/liter, respectively. The probability of achieving a Cmin of ≤2 mg/liter was higher when the dose was given at once than when dividing it into 2 doses. Linezolid at a daily dose of 300 mg may not be optimal. We predicted an excellent and comparable efficacy of linezolid using total daily doses of 900 and 1,200 mg for MICs of ≤0.5 mg/liter but with the potential for more toxicity than with 600 mg daily. The increase in Cmin was noticeable when the daily dose was divided and may incur greater toxicity.

Ethionamide Population Pharmacokinetic Model and Target Attainment in Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

Ethionamide (ETA), an isonicotinic acid derivative, is part of the multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) regimen. The current guidelines have deprioritized ETA because it is potentially less effective than other agents. Our aim was to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model and simulate ETA dosing regimens in order to assess target attainment. This study included subjects from four different sites, including healthy volunteers and patients with MDR-TB. The TB centers included were two in the United States and one in Bangladesh. Patients who received ETA and had at least one drug concentration reported were included. The population PK model was developed, regimens with a total of 1,000 to 2,250 mg daily were simulated, and target attainment using published MICs and targets of 1.0-log kill and resistance suppression was assessed with the Pmetrics R package. We included 1,167 ethionamide concentrations from 94 subjects. The final population model was a one-compartment model with first-order elimination and absorption with a lag time. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) final population parameter estimates were as follows: absorption rate constant, 1.02 (1.11) h-1; elimination rate constant, 0.69 (0.46) h-1; volume of distribution, 104.16 (59.87) liters; lag time, 0.43 (0.32) h. A total daily dose of 1,500 mg or more was needed for ≥90% attainment of the 1.0-log kill target at a MIC of 1 mg/liter, and 2,250 mg/day led to 80% attainment of the resistance suppression target at a MIC of 0.5 mg/liter. In conclusion, we developed a population PK model and assessed target attainment for different ETA regimens. Patients may not be able to tolerate the doses needed to achieve the predefined targets supporting the current recommendations for ETA deprioritization.

Treatment of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: an official ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA clinical practice guideline.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent over 190 species and subspecies, some of which can produce disease in humans of all ages and can affect both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites. This guideline focuses on pulmonary disease in adults (without cystic fibrosis or human immunodeficiency virus infection) caused by the most common NTM pathogens such as Mycobacterium avium complex, Mycobacterium kansasii, and Mycobacterium xenopi among the slowly growing NTM and Mycobacterium abscessus among the rapidly growing NTM. A panel of experts was carefully selected by leading international respiratory medicine and infectious diseases societies (ATS, ERS, ESCMID, IDSA) and included specialists in pulmonary medicine, infectious diseases and clinical microbiology, laboratory medicine, and patient advocacy. Systematic reviews were conducted around each of 22 PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) questions and the recommendations were formulated, written, and graded using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. Thirty-one evidence-based recommendations about treatment of NTM pulmonary disease are provided. This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for patients with NTM pulmonary disease, including specialists in infectious diseases and pulmonary diseases.

Microbiome Diversity in Sputum of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infected Women with a History of Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM), caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an increasing health problem in the USA and worldwide. The NTM disease is prevalent in Caucasian women with a current diagnosis or history of breast cancer (BCa), posing a significant challenge towards treatment. We hypothesize that NTM affected women with considerable therapeutic resistance may harbor pathogenic microbes other than nontuberculous mycobacterium, aiding in disease progression and therapeutic resistance. METHODS: We assessed microbiome diversity in sputa from healthy women, women with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM) and women with both nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and breast cancer (NTM-BCa). First, we collected sputa and isolated DNA from sputa of these healthy women and women with NTM and NTM-BCa. We also isolated DNA from sera derived extracellular vesicles from women with NTM-BCa. To identify diverse pathogenic microbes in various groups of subjects, we then performed 16S rDNA sequencing. Data analysis was performed utilizing the analytical pipelines at the Center for Metagenomic and Microbiome Research (CMMR), Baylor College of Medicine. RESULTS: A large community of resident microbes, including bacteria, virus, Archeas and Fungi live in the human body are being increasingly recognized as the key components of human health and disease. We identified a diverse microbiome community in the sputa and the extracellular vesicles dominated by Streptococcus, Haemophillus, Veillonella, Neisseria, Prevotella, Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, Allistipes, Faecalibacterium and Staphylococcus in women with nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease as well as women with both nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease and breast cancer. Some of these genera, including Fusobacterium, Bacteroides, and Allistipes have estrobolome activity and associated with breast and other neoplasms. CONCLUSION: This work confirms the presence of a distinct pathogenic microbiome other than nontuberculous mycobacteria in the sputa and the circulating extracellular vesicles of these patients. This information could be useful for better therapeutic design to treat the NTM patients.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a challenging infection which is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in the elderly, for reasons which are unknown. While underlying lung disease is a well-established risk factor for NTM-PD, it may also occur in apparently healthy individuals. No single common genetic or immunological defect has been identified in this group, and it is likely that multiple pathways contribute towards host susceptibility to NTM-PD which further interact with environmental and microbiological factors leading to the development of disease.The diagnosis of NTM-PD relies on the integration of clinical, radiological and microbiological results. The clinical course of NTM-PD is heterogeneous, with some patients remaining stable without the need for treatment and others developing refractory disease associated with considerable mortality and morbidity. Treatment regimens are based on the identity of the isolated species, drug sensitivity testing (for some agents) and the severity of disease. Multiple antibiotics are typically required for prolonged periods of time and treatment is frequently poorly tolerated. Surgery may be beneficial in selected cases. In some circumstances cure may not be attainable and there is a pressing need for better regimens to treat refractory and drug-resistant NTM-PD.This review summarises current knowledge on the epidemiology, aetiology and diagnosis of NTM-PD and discusses the treatment of two of the most clinically significant species, the M. avium and M. abscessus complexes, with a focus on refractory disease and novel therapies.

Comparative risks of chronic inhaled corticosteroids and macrolides for bronchiectasis.

INTRODUCTION: Non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis ("bronchiectasis") is a chronic airway disease for which little data exist to inform treatment decisions. We sought to compare the risks of respiratory infections in chronic users of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) versus macrolide monotherapy. METHODS: We identified a cohort of US Medicare enrollees with a bronchiectasis diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 494.0 or 494.1) between 2006 and 2014, excluding CF. We defined chronic new use as the first ≥28-day prescription of ICS therapy or macrolide monotherapy. We compared the characteristics of the exposure cohorts using standardised mean differences (SMDs) and computed a propensity score (PS) to account for treatment differences. The risks of acute exacerbation, hospitalised respiratory infection, all-cause hospitalisation and mortality were compared using PS decile-adjusted Cox regression models. RESULTS: We identified 83 589 new users of ICSs and 6500 new users of macrolides from 285 043 included Medicare enrollees with bronchiectasis. The crude incidence of hospitalised respiratory infection was 12.6 (ICS therapy) and 10.3 (macrolide monotherapy) per 100 patient-years. The PS-adjusted HRs comparing ICS with macrolide new users were 1.39 (95% CI 1.23-1.57) for hospitalised respiratory infection, 1.56 (95% 1.49-1.64) for acute exacerbation and 1.09 (95% 0.95-1.25) for mortality. INTERPRETATION: Among patients with bronchiectasis, the use of ICSs was associated with an increased risk of hospitalised respiratory infections compared with macrolide monotherapy.

Amikacin Liposome Inhalation Suspension for Treatment-Refractory Lung Disease Caused by Mycobacterium avium Complex (CONVERT). A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized Study.

Rationale: Improved therapeutic options are needed for patients with treatment-refractory nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of daily amikacin liposome inhalation suspension (ALIS) added to standard guideline-based therapy (GBT) in patients with refractory MAC lung disease. Methods: Adults with amikacin-susceptible MAC lung disease and MAC-positive sputum cultures despite at least 6 months of stable GBT were randomly assigned (2:1) to receive ALIS with GBT (ALIS + GBT) or GBT alone. Once-daily ALIS was supplied in single-use vials delivering 590 mg amikacin to the nebulizer. The primary endpoint was culture conversion, defined as three consecutive monthly MAC-negative sputum cultures by Month 6. Measurements and Main Results: Enrolled patients (ALIS + GBT, n = 224; GBT-alone, n = 112) were a mean 64.7 years old and 69.3% female. Most had underlying bronchiectasis (62.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.3%), or both (11.9%). Culture conversion was achieved by 65 of 224 patients (29.0%) with ALIS + GBT and 10 of 112 (8.9%) with GBT alone (odds ratio, 4.22; 95% confidence interval, 2.08-8.57; P < 0.001). Patients in the ALIS + GBT arm versus GBT alone were more likely to achieve conversion (hazard ratio, 3.90; 95% confidence interval, 2.00-7.60). Respiratory adverse events (primarily dysphonia, cough, and dyspnea) were reported in 87.4% of patients receiving ALIS + GBT and 50.0% receiving GBT alone; serious treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 20.2% and 17.9% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Addition of ALIS to GBT for treatment-refractory MAC lung disease achieved significantly greater culture conversion by Month 6 than GBT alone, with comparable rates of serious adverse events. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02344004).

Treatment of Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC).

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is the most commonly isolated nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory pathogen worldwide. MAC lung disease is manifested either by fibrocavitary radiographic changes similar to pulmonary tuberculosis or by bronchiectasis with nodular and reticulonodular radiographic changes. This latter form of MAC lung disease, termed "nodular bronchiectatic (NB) MAC lung disease" is the most common form of MAC lung disease in the United States. Treatment at the time of diagnosis is always indicated for fibrocavitary MAC lung disease because it is always progressive and associated with increased morbidity and mortality compared with NB MAC lung disease. In contrast, the NB form of MAC lung disease is more indolent and frequently does not require antimycobacterial therapy. For patients with NB MAC lung disease, the priorities are typically to treat the underlying bronchiectasis and determine the course and impact of the MAC infection over time. Guidelines-based MAC therapy with multidrug regimens including macrolides is usually effective, but far from as predictably effective and durable as therapy for tuberculosis. It is imperative that clinicians are familiar with MAC drug resistance mechanisms and the pitfalls of inappropriate dependence on in vitro drug susceptibility testing which can predispose patients to the development of macrolide resistance with its attendant high mortality. It is now more than 20 years since the emergence of macrolides for MAC therapy with no new comparably effective agents introduced in that time, although one new inhaled amikacin therapy under study offers promise.

Randomized Trial of Liposomal Amikacin for Inhalation in Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease.

RATIONALE: Lengthy, multidrug, toxic, and low-efficacy regimens limit management of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. OBJECTIVES: In this phase II study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of liposomal amikacin for inhalation (LAI) in treatment-refractory pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (Mycobacterium avium complex [MAC] or Mycobacterium abscessus) disease. METHODS: During the double-blind phase, patients were randomly assigned to LAI (590 mg) or placebo once daily added to their multidrug regimen for 84 days. Both groups could receive open-label LAI for 84 additional days. The primary endpoint was change from baseline to Day 84 on a semiquantitative mycobacterial growth scale. Other endpoints included sputum conversion, 6-minute-walk distance, and adverse events. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The modified intention-to-treat population included 89 (LAI = 44; placebo = 45) patients. The average age of the sample was 59 years; 88% were female; 92% were white; and 80 and 59 patients completed study drug dosing during the double-blind and open-label phases, respectively. The primary endpoint was not achieved (P = 0.072); however, a greater proportion of the LAI group demonstrated at least one negative sputum culture (14 [32%] of 44 vs. 4 [9%] of 45; P = 0.006) and improvement in 6-minute-walk test (+20.6 m vs. -25.0 m; P = 0.017) at Day 84. A treatment effect was seen predominantly in patients without cystic fibrosis with MAC and was sustained 1 year after LAI. Most adverse events were respiratory, and in some patients it led to drug discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Although the primary endpoint was not reached, LAI added to a multidrug regimen produced improvements in sputum conversion and 6-minute-walk distance versus placebo with limited systemic toxicity in patients with refractory MAC lung disease. Further research in this area is needed. Clinical trial registered with www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01315236).

In Vitro Susceptibility Testing of Bedaquiline against Mycobacterium avium Complex.

We performed bedaquiline broth microdilution susceptibility testing using Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines on 103 respiratory isolates of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), including multidrug-resistant isolates. Approximately 90% of isolates had bedaquiline MICs of ≤0.008 µg/ml, and 102/103 isolates had MICs of ≤0.015 µg/ml. Bedaquiline has excellent potential for use in patients with MAC infections, although for reasons of its metabolism by the cytochrome P450 system, it should not be given with rifampin.

Emergence of mmpT5 Variants during Bedaquiline Treatment of Mycobacterium intracellulare Lung Disease.

Bedaquiline (BDQ), a diarylquinoline antibiotic that targets ATP synthase, is effective for the treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections that no longer respond to conventional drugs. While investigating the off-label use of BDQ as salvage therapy, seven of 13 patients with Mycobacterium intracellulare lung disease had an initial microbiological response and then relapsed. Whole-genome comparison of pretreatment and relapse isolates of M. intracellulare uncovered mutations in a previously uncharacterized locus, mmpT5 Preliminary analysis suggested similarities between mmpT5 and the mmpR5 locus, which is associated with low-level BDQ resistance in M. tuberculosis Both genes encode transcriptional regulators and are adjacent to orthologs of the mmpS5-mmpL5 drug efflux operon. However, MmpT5 belongs to the TetR superfamily, whereas MmpR5 is a MarR family protein. Targeted sequencing uncovered nonsynonymous mmpT5 mutations in isolates from all seven relapse cases, including two pretreatment isolates. In contrast, only two relapse patient isolates had nonsynonymous changes in ATP synthase subunit c (atpE), the primary target of BDQ. Susceptibility testing indicated that mmpT5 mutations are associated with modest 2- to 8-fold increases in MICs for BDQ and clofazimine, whereas one atpE mutant exhibited a 50-fold increase in MIC for BDQ. Bedaquiline shows potential for the treatment of M. intracellulare lung disease, but optimization of treatment regimens is required to prevent the emergence of mmpT5 variants and microbiological relapse.

Emended description of Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus and Mycobacteriumabscessus subsp. bolletii and designation of Mycobacteriumabscessus subsp. massiliense comb. nov.

The taxonomic position of members of the Mycobacterium abscessus complex has been the subject of intensive investigation and, in some aspects confusion, in recent years as a result of varying approaches to genetic data interpretation. Currently, the former species Mycobacterium massiliense and Mycobacterium bolletii are grouped together as Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. bolletii. They differ greatly, however, as the former M. bolletii has a functional erm(41) gene that confers inducible resistance to macrolides, the primary therapeutic antimicrobials for M. abscessus, while in the former M. massiliense the erm(41) gene is non-functional. Furthermore, previous whole genome studies of the M. abscessus group support the separation of M. bolletii and M. massiliense. To shed further light on the population structure of Mycobacterium abscessus, 43 strains and three genomes retrieved from GenBank were subjected to pairwise comparisons using three computational approaches: verage ucleotide dentity, enome to enome istance and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis. The three methods produced overlapping results, each demonstrating three clusters of strains corresponding to the same number of taxonomic entities. The distances were insufficient to warrant distinction at the species level, but met the criteria for differentiation at the subspecies level. Based on prior erm(41)-related phenotypic data and current genomic data, we conclude that the species M. abscessus encompasses, in adjunct to the presently recognized subspecies M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and M. abscessus subsp. bolletii, a third subspecies for which we suggest the name M. abscessus subsp. massiliense comb. nov. (type strain CCUG 48898T=CIP 108297T=DSM 45103T=KCTC 19086T).