Abstract
Over the last 30 years it has become increasingly clear that nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung infections and bronchiectasis are closely related disorders. Although incontrovertible proof is lacking, there is a growing consensus of opinion that NTM lung disease characterized by nodules and bronchiectasis (nodular/bronchiectatic NTM lung disease) may be a consequence of preexisting bronchiectasis that predisposes to NTM infection and disease. To use published diagnostic guidelines effectively, physicians must become familiar with the disease-causing potential of individual NTM species. Essentially all NTM patients have bronchiectasis, so optimal overall patient management requires successful therapeutic strategies for both NTM infection and bronchiectasis.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 283-295 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Clinics in Chest Medicine |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2012 |
Keywords
- Bronchiectasis
- Mycobacterium abscessus
- Mycobacterium avium complex
- Nontuberculous mycobacteria
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine