The Rise of Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterial Lung Disease

(TB) were once thought to be harmless environmental saprophytics and only dangerous to individuals with defective lung structure or the immunosuppressed. However, NTM are now commonly infecting seemingly immune competent children and adults at increasing rates through pulmonary infection. This is of concern as the pathology of NTM is difficult to treat. Indeed, NTM have become extremely antibiotic resistant, and now have been found to be internationally dispersed through person-to-person contact. The reasons behind this NTM increase are only beginning to be elucidated. Solutions to the problem are needed given NTM disease is more common in the tropics. Importantly, 40% of the world's population live in the…

• QH
  Queensland Health
• RL
  Rebecca L. Cooper Medical Research Foundation
• UO
  University of Queensland
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council

  Award: 1131732