Pulmonary Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Category II Failures from National Tuberculosis Programme.

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary infections due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly being reported. These can mimic drugresitant tubercuolosis. A diagnosis of NTM infections needs a high degree of clinical suspicion and repeated isolation of the organism on culture. NTM infections occur commonly in immunocompromised individuals and in people with lung abnormalities. Currently there are no guidelines on drug combinations and the duration of treatment is not adequately defined. Two cases of pulmonary infection with NTM in immune-competent individuals are described in the present report. Although the bacteriological, radiological and clinical response to treatment was good; early discontinuation of treatment resulted in recurrence and change in drug susceptibility pattern, suggesting the need for prolonged treatment for achieving cure.