A retrospective study evaluated the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in patients with obstructive lung disease (OLD), including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, as well as those with pulmonary malignancies. Researchers analyzed mycobacterial cultures obtained from bronchopulmonary respiratory specimens collected between January 2021 and January 2023, applying international diagnostic criteria for NTM-PD. NTM was isolated in 0.5% of patients with pulmonary malignancies, 2.4% of patients with stable OLD, and 3.5% of patients experiencing OLD exacerbations.
Among patients with OLD, 32% of those with NTM isolation met the diagnostic criteria for NTM-PD. Lower BMI, frequent exacerbations, and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use were associated with a higher likelihood of NTM isolation. However, only lower BMI and frequent…
