Clinical significance of a single isolation of pathogenic nontuberculous mycobacteria from sputum specimens

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2013 Feb;75(2):225-6. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.09.021. Epub 2012 Nov 7.

Abstract

A single sputum culture positive for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) could be an early sign of NTM lung disease. We found that 14% of patients with a single sputum culture positive for pathogenic NTM were diagnosed with NTM lung disease during the median follow-up period of 16 months.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / diagnosis
  • Lung Diseases / microbiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology*
  • Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Sputum / microbiology*