Non tuberculous mycobacteria
They cause opportunistic disease in people, called opportunistic mycobacteria.
They grow much faster than mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Most of these bacteria are resistance to antitubercular drugs.
The cord factor absent in cell wall.
They may be longer or smaller than mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Sources and mode of Transmission
(Known as environmental mycobacteria)
NTM are acquired from environment by inhalation or inoculation into wound.
Cause lung infection, skin infection.
Catheter related infection and keratitis (corneal inflammation) in individual undergo surgery.
Laboratory Diagnosis
Specimen collection
Identify the isolated bacilli
Chest X ray
Treatment
Treatment with multiple antimycobacterial drugs.
Clarithromycin or other macrolides need to be given prophylactically to individuals infected with HIV.
Contaminated catheter need to be replaced.
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