RESUMO
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) results from opportunistic lung infections by mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Mycobacterium leprae species. Similar to many other countries, the incidence of NTM-PD in the United Kingdom (UK) is on the rise for reasons that are yet to be determined. Despite guidelines established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the British Thoracic Society, NTM-PD diagnosis and management remain a significant clinical challenge. In this review article, we comprehensively discuss key challenges in NTM-PD diagnosis and management, focusing on the UK healthcare setting. We also propose countermeasures to overcome these challenges and improve the detection and treatment of patients with NTM-PD.
RESUMO
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental organisms that can cause significant disease in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The incidence of NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is rising globally. Diagnostic challenges persist and treatment efficacy is variable. This article provides an overview of NTM-PD for clinicians. We discuss how common it is, who is at risk, how it is diagnosed and the multidisciplinary approach to its clinical management.