Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases

This ATS/IDSA statement includes updated information on genetic identification, the role of antimicrobial sensitivity testing, and therapy for MAC.

Target Population: Healthcare workers

Sponsoring Organizations: The American Thoracic Society and the Infectious Diseases Society of America

Type: Consensus statement

Key Points: This is the first revision in the guidelines for diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in 10 years. Changes in the field during the interim include an increase in the number of infections due to such organisms and a greater reliance on genetic analysis for identification.

Nearly 50 pages long, the document contains sections on methods, taxonomy, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and laboratory procedures, followed by information on clinical aspects and treatment of infections caused by any of >20 NTM species. Unfortunately, data are sparse on the management of…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD