Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (nontuberculou + mycobacteria)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Mycobacterium fortuitum,induced persistent parotitis: Successful therapy with clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin

HEAD & NECK: JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES & SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK, Issue 11 2007
Chien-Cheng Chen MD
Abstract Background. Parotitis caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria, a very rare disease entity, has never been reported to be caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum) in the literature. Methods and Results. An 8-year-old girl was seen with painful swelling of the right parotid gland despite antibiotic treatment of more than 1 month. Elevated serum amylase activity and diffuse contrast-enhanced CT of the parotid gland confirmed the diagnosis of parotitis. Histopathological study of specimens taken from the right parotid tail mass showed granulomatous inflammation with acid-fast positive bacilli; culture later confirmed M. fortuitum. After administration of clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin for 9 consecutive months, the parotitis and parotid tail mass were completely resolved at follow-up examination. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of parotitis caused by M. fortuitum and its successful medical treatment. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2007 [source]


Surrounded by mycobacteria: nontuberculous mycobacteria in the human environment

JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
J.O. Falkinham
Summary A majority of the Mycobacterium species, called the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), are natural inhabitants of natural waters, engineered water systems, and soils. As a consequence of their ubiquitous distribution, humans are surrounded by these opportunistic pathogens. A cardinal feature of mycobacterial cells is the presence of a hydrophobic, lipid-rich outer membrane. The hydrophobicity of NTM is a major determinant of aerosolization, surface adherence, biofilm-formation, and disinfectant- and antibiotic resistance. The NTM are oligotrophs, able to grow at low carbon levels [>50 ,g assimilable organic carbon (AOC) l,1], making them effective competitors in low nutrient, and disinfected environments (drinking water). Biofilm formation and oligotrophy lead to survival, persistence, and growth in drinking water distribution systems. In addition to their role as human and animal pathogens, the widespread distribution of NTM in the environment, coupled with their ability to degrade and metabolize a variety of complex hydrocarbons including pollutants, suggests that NTM may be agents of nutrient cycling. [source]


Endobronchial atypical mycobacteria in an immunocompetent child

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 5 2010
G. del Rio Camacho MD
Abstract Endobronchial granulomas in children are mainly caused by mycobacterial infections. In addition to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, other organisms such as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have emerged. These organisms cause a broad spectrum of pulmonary diseases. An isolated endobronchial NTM infection in a child is reported. After bronchoscopic removal, a decision not to add drug treatment was made, with satisfactory results. Treatment options are not well established in children and remain a source of controversy. Different options are discussed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:511,513. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Out-of-water: emerging, nontuberculous mycobacteria

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 10 2009
M. Drancourt
No abstract is available for this article. [source]


Environmental sources of rapid growing nontuberculous mycobacteria causing disease in humans

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 10 2009
J. Van Ingen
Abstract Nontuberculous mycobacteria are environmental, opportunistic pathogens whose role in human disease is increasingly recognized, especially regarding the rapid growing mycobacteria (RGM). RGM are recovered from various environmental sources, both natural and man-made. In water systems, RGM can survive by forming biofilms and by interactions with protozoa. The presence and species diversity of RGM in water is influenced by temperature, pH and the chemical quality of the water, as well as the availability of nutrients, although the exact correlations remain controversial. Despite their omnipresence in environmental sources, the actual transmission of RGM to humans, with subsequent clinical disease, has rarely been proven. However, outbreaks as a result of contaminated water sources have been reported, although accidental presence in clinical samples cannot always be excluded. In this setting, the presence of RGM does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship with clinical disease; accidental presence in clinical samples cannot always be excluded. Future studies should focus on the exact environmental sources of infection, aiming to examine possibilities for prevention of infections in patients at risk. Furthermore, studies should focus on the actual sites of the active replication of RGM; their presence may not indicate their natural habitat. [source]