NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES

Abstract

This article reviews and summarizes present knowledge of the nontuberculous mycobacteria and the human diseases associated with them. The species discussed are: Mycobacterium avium complex [M. avium-intracellulare], M. scrotulaceum, M. kansasii, M. xenopi, M. marinum, M. ulcerans, M. simiae, M. szulgai, M. fortuitum complex [M. fortuitum-chelonei]. Clinical considerations [etiology, diagnosis, pathogenesis, epidemiology and treatment] are made on pulmonary disease, mycobacterial lymphadenitis, soft tissue infection, bone and joint disease, genitourinary disease, disseminated disease, meningitis and eye infections.