Clinical Evaluation of 10 Cases of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Isolated from Sputum / 대한진단검사의학회지

ABSTRACT

Infections due to Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) have been recognized increasingly worldwide. We report 10 cases of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolated from sputa, being eight cases of M. szulgai, one of M. gordonae, and one of M. abscessus. All but one M. abscessus-isolating case was developed in the same period in one episode. Therefore, it is likely to be contaminated. NTM is a possible pathogen and infections due to NTM are clinically important. Thus, correct identification and determination of clinical significance should be verified.