Mycobacteria avium and intracellulare
- epidemiology
- classification and characteristics
- virulence factors
- transmission and infection
- clinical manifestations
- diagnosis
- treatment
Epidemiology
Nontuberculous mycobacteria are present in the environment - soil, water, plants, and animals.
The majority of patients have underlying lung disease:
COPD, bronchiectasis, previous TB, lung cancer. Other predisposing conditions include AIDS, alcoholism, and diabetes
Classification and Characteristics
Virulence Factors
Transmission and Infection
Clinical Manifesations
Diagnosis
Culture the preferred means of diagnosis, as it can be difficult to identify pathogen in tissue sections.
Treatment