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Review
. 2015:2015:197950.
doi: 10.1155/2015/197950. Epub 2015 May 27.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Giulia Bonaiti  1 , Alberto Pesci  1 , Almerico Marruchella  1 , Giuseppe Lapadula  2 , Andrea Gori  2 , Stefano Aliberti  1
Affiliations
Review

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Noncystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis

Giulia Bonaiti et al. Biomed Res Int. 2015.

Abstract

During the past decades, a growing interest has been raised in evaluating nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFBE). This paper reviews several aspects of the correlations between NTM and NCFBE, including pathogenesis, radiological features, diagnosis, and management. Bronchiectasis and NTM lung disease are connected, but which one comes first is still an unresolved question. The rate of NTM lung disease in NCFBE varies through the studies, from 5% to 30%. The most frequent species isolated is MAC. NCFBE patients affected by NTM infection frequently present coinfections, including both other different NTM species and microorganisms, such as P. aeruginosa. Once a diagnosis of NTM disease has been reached, the initiation of therapy is not always mandatory. NTM species isolated, patients' conditions, and disease severity and its evolution should be considered. Risk factors for disease progression in NCFBE patients with NTM are low body mass index, cavitary disease, consolidations, and macrolide resistance at presentation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fibrocavitary form of Mycobacterium avium lung disease.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Nodular/bronchiectatic form of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease. Axial (a) and coronal (b) computed tomography images demonstrating focal bronchiectasis in both the right middle lobe and lingula, characteristic of Lady Windermere syndrome [38].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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