{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: A narrative review of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: microbiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management challenges.
{Author}: Hamed KA;Tillotson G;
{Journal}: Expert Rev Respir Med
{Volume}: 17
{Issue}: 11
{Year}: 2023 Jul-Dec 14
{Factor}: 4.3
{DOI}: 10.1080/17476348.2023.2283135
{Abstract}: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a diverse group of mycobacterial species that are ubiquitous in the environment. They are opportunistic pathogens that can cause a range of diseases, especially in individuals with underlying structural lung disease or compromised immune systems.<BR>This paper provides an in-depth analysis of NTM infections, including microbiology, environmental sources and transmission pathways, risk factors for disease, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnostic approaches, guideline-based treatment recommendations, drugs under development, and management challenges.<BR>Future approaches to the management of NTM pulmonary disease will require therapies that are well tolerated, can be taken for a shorter time period and perhaps less frequently, have few drug-drug interactions, and are active against the various strains of pathogens. As the numbers of infections increase, such therapies will be welcomed by clinicians and patients.