As per recent diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of NTM, there is a chance of overdiagnosis of NTM, thereby enhancing the potential toxicities of the drugs. There is also a chance of undertreatment. How do you defend this column? What do you think?
Hi, good day! Nontuberculous mycobacteria are a diverse group of mycobacterial species that causes different clinical infections in children and adults. According to Ingen (2013), 25 species have been strongly associated with NTM out of the 140 known NTM species in the literature/studies. Isolation of M. kansasii and M. malmoense from pulmonary specimens usually indicates disease, whereas Mycobacterium gordonae , M. simiae, or M. chelonae are said to be contaminants rather than causative agents of true disease. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), M. xenopi, and M. abscessus form an intermediate category between these two extremes (Ingen,2013). NTM species differ in their clinical relevance therefore, the need for correct species identification is very important. As per your question, to prevent the chance of overdiagnosis and undertreatment of NTM, it is crucial to identify the particular causative agent that caused the condition/illness as well as its clinical relevance. to make a firm diagnosis, a culture of the clinical specimens, and a histological examination of tissue biopsy specimens are needed. Diagnosing NTM disease is complex therefore a good communication between clinicians, radiologists, and microbiologists may help in optimizing the culture conditions in line with the particularities of the patients.
if you want to know more about the diagnosis of NMT, this article might help you:
Ingen, J. (2013). Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections. Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections. DOI:10.1055/s-0033-1333569
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