Clinical significance of a single isolation of pathogenic nontuberculous mycobacteria from sputum specimens

• DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.09.021
• Publication Date: 2012-11-07T05:04:55Z
• Authors: Won-Jung Koh; Boksoon Chang; Yousang Ko; Byeong-Ho Jeong; Goohyeon Hong; Hye Yun Park; Kyeongman Jeon; Nam Yong Lee
• Keywords: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Sputum culture; Clinical Significance; Isolation

A single sputum culture positive for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) could be an early sign of NTM lung disease. We found that 14% of patients with a single sputum culture positive for pathogenic NTM were diagnosed with NTM lung disease during the median follow-up period of 16 months.