Non-TB Mycobacterial Infection-Bronchiectasis Nexus

[摘要] In the December 2018 issue of CHEST, Chalmers¹ asserts, “in recent years, nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (NTM) has emerged as a key etiology of bronchiectasis in North America.” More likely, NTM by these low virulence organisms is the opportunistic consequence of a predisposing pulmonary disease (PDPD). Mycobacterium avium complex, the most frequent NTM associated with bronchiectasis, is a congeries of saprophytic, free-living, soil- and water-dwelling bacteria, frequently present in municipal water supplies where it can be aerosolized.

[学科分类] 呼吸医学