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Non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA/CDC/NIH/HIVMA 2024), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA/ERS/ATS/ESCMID 2020), and the British Thoracic Society (BTS 2017).
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Screening and diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria: as per ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA 2020 guidelines, use the following clinical, radiologic (both clinical and radiologic criteria required) and microbiologic criteria for the diagnosis of NTM-PD given other diagnoses are appropriately excluded:
Situation
Guidance
Clinical
Pulmonary or systemic symptoms
Radiologic
Nodular or cavitary opacities on CXR, or a HRCT scan showing bronchiectasis with multiple small nodules
Microbiologic (any)
Positive culture results from at least 2 separate expectorated sputum samples
Consider obtaining repeat sputum AFB smears and cultures if the results are nondiagnostic
Positive culture results from at least 1 bronchial wash or lavage
Transbronchial or other lung biopsy with mycobacterial histologic features (granulomatous inflammation or AFB) and positive culture for NTM or biopsy showing mycobacterial histologic features (granulomatous inflammation or AFB) and ≥ 1 culture positive sputum or bronchial washings
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Diagnostic investigations
Sample collection: as per BTS 2017 guidelines, consider collecting sputum, induced sputum, bronchial washings, bronchoalveolar lavage, or transbronchial biopsy samples to evaluate patients with suspected NTM-PD. Attempt to obtain less invasive sampling first to minimize procedural risks whenever possible.
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Microbiological testing
Susceptibility testing
Serologic testing
IGRA
Chest imaging
Skin testing
Diagnostic procedures
Medical management
Setting of care: as per BTS 2017 guidelines, manage patients with NTM-PD in collaboration with a physician experienced in managing NTM-PD.
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Indications for treatment
Antimicrobial therapy (M. avium complex)
Antimicrobial therapy (M. kansasii)
Antimicrobial therapy (M. xenopi)
Antimicrobial therapy (M. abscessus)
Antimicrobial therapy (M. malmoense)
Duration of treatment
Adjuvant therapies
Surgical interventions
Surgical resection: as per ATS/ERS/ESCMID/IDSA 2020 guidelines, consider performing surgical resection as an adjuvant to medical therapy after expert consultation in selected patients with NTM-PD.
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Lung transplantation
Specific circumstances
Patients with HIV, primary prophylaxis: as per CDC/HIVMA/IDSA/NIH 2024 guidelines, do not administer primary prophylaxis against M. avium complex in adult and adolescent patients immediately initiating antiretroviral therapy.
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Patients with HIV (management of disseminated M. avium complex disease)
Patients with HIV (maintenance therapy)
Patients with HIV (adjuvant therapy)
Preventative measures
Follow-up and surveillance
Monitoring for medication adverse effects: as per BTS 2017 guidelines, monitor serum levels of aminoglycosides and creatinine in patients receiving aminoglycosides and adjust dosing according to local policies.
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Therapeutic drug monitoring
Clinical follow-up
Laboratory follow-up
Imaging follow-up