Fig. 10 Pulmonary abscess. Contrast-enhanced axial CT of the chest...

Understanding Types Of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

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SOURCES:

CDC: "Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) – Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)," "Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIS) – Clinicians."

Clinics in Chest Medicine: "Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections in Immunosuppressed Hosts."

Annals of the American Thoracic Society: "Incidence and Prevalence of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in a Large U.S. Managed Care Health Plan, 2088-2015."

Pathogens: "Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases in Children."

UpToDate: "Overview of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections," "Treatment of lung infection with Mycobacterium kansasii and other less common nontuberculous mycobacteria in adults," "Buruli ulcer (mycobacterium ulcerans infection."

Merck Manual (Consumer Version): "Infections Caused by Bacteria Related to Tuberculosis (TB)."

Merck Manual (Professional Version): "Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections."

National Organization for Rare Disorders: "NIH Gard Information: Mycobacterium Avium Complex infections."

Journal of Pathogens: "General Overview on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Biofilms, and Human Infection."

Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology: "Mycobacterium abscessus complex: A Review of Recent Developments in an Emerging Pathogen."

Microbiology Spectrum: "Mycobacterium marinum."

Cleveland Clinic: "Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections."

American Lung Association: "Learn about NTM Lung Disease."

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases: "Treatment of Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease."

Indian Journal of Medical Research: "Epidemiology, diagnosis & treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases."

University of Notre Dame (College of Science): "Study sheds light on immune response in Mycobacterium avium Complex infection."

Understanding Leprosy: Symptoms, Transmission, And Treatments Available Today

With the right healthcare measures in place, we'll wipe out leprosy allowing people to live healthy lives.

Written by Tavishi DograPublished : February 24, 2025 2:55 PM IST

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a serious, infectious chronic disease caused by a harsh bacterial organism called Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy has existed in time unknown and is not yet well understood. Unfortunately, ignorance has bred fear and social stigma surrounding the disease. Depending on the stages of leprosy, current medicine has allowed for great advances in diagnosis and treatment, making cure and control of the disease remarkably successful.

Symptoms Of Leprosy

Leprosy mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, soft tissues around nose, mouth, lungs etc., and eyes. The symptoms of Leprosy can take a very long time, years - anywhere from 5-20 years to develop post infection, and this delays the diagnosis and further delay in the treatment.

Features Of Leprosy

Skin Lesions: Pale or reddish areas that might not feel anything when touched.

Nerve Issues: Limbs, hands and feet get affected and go numb or feel weak as leprosy affects the outer nerves.

Eyesight problems: Leprosy can lead to blindness or vision problems if it is left untreated.

Ulceration And Infection

Chronic sores affecting the skin; most are on feet and hands.

Deformities: Untreated leprosy in an advanced stage can lead to claw hands, foot drop, or disfigurement of the face.

Since the symptoms progress slowly, many remain undetected for years, thereby giving rise to many opportunities for the transmission of the disease.

Spread Of Leprosy

Leprosy does not transmit easily and is mainly transmitted through long contact with the infected patient. It spreads through airborne particles and not by casual or short term touch and infections.

For instance, contrary to popular belief, leprosy does not spread through handshakes, shared meals, or through sex.

Some individuals are naturally resistant to Mycobacterium leprae, and this explains the inability of so many exposed individuals to develop the disease. Genetic and immune factors also are involved in determining susceptibility.

Treatments For Leprosy

The most modern therapies available for the cure of leprosy would include Multi Drug Therapy (MDT), recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization). MDT not only kills the bacteria but also prevents antibiotic resistance.

The length of treatment varies according to a person's leprosy class:

Paucibacillary leprosy (less severe cases): 6 months

Multibacillary leprosy (more severe cases): 12 months or more

The WHO makes MDT available free of charge to all leprosy patients worldwide. Once diagnosed early, it can prevent the onset of irreversible nerve damages and disabilities.

Erasing Myths And Stopping Stigma

One of the largest hurdles against the battle of leprosy is its social stigma. Patients are faceless and even feared due to many myths held through history. In order to help the infected or the ones at the risk of infection, early diagnosis and early treatment is very important to help them before they face the worst situation and otherwise suffer from leprosy-related discrimination.

Conclusion: Leprosy is not a curse; it's a bacterial infection that is curable and easily treatable. Knowing its signs, symptoms, how it spreads, and its treatment helps reduce stigma and leads to quicker diagnosis.

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Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infection Program

Content

Initial Evaluation

Diagnosis of NTM infections can be challenging because the symptoms can be similar to other lung diseases, like tuberculosis and lung cancer. Typically, a diagnosis is made by identifying the bacteria in a culture grown from a sputum sample (the substance that's coughed up from the lungs), but other diagnostic tests may be necessary.

Access to prior records and testing is vital to develop a timely, personalized treatment plan. Depending on how recent your previous testing is, we may also coordinate pulmonary function testing and imaging with your initial visit.

Sputum testing

CT imaging

Blood testing

EKG

Immunology evaluation

Consideration of thoracic surgery consultation in localized disease

Monitoring of Disease

Monitoring nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections primarily involves clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and microbiologic cultures. By consistently monitoring the disease in these ways, our multi-disciplinary team can make informed decisions about adjusting treatment, assessing the risk of complications, and ultimately improving your health outcomes.

Spirometry

Sputum cultures

Imaging

Oxygen needs assessment

Venous blood gas

Audiology referral

Treatment

Treatment for NTM infections usually involves a combination of antibiotics. The exact medications and length of treatment depend on the type of NTM causing the infection and the patient's overall health. Additional treatments may include pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung functions. In some cases, surgery may be considered to remove the infected tissue, particularly if the infection is localized to a specific lung area.

Oral and/or intravenous medications.

Pulmonary hygiene/airway clearance optimization.

Meeting with respiratory therapist

Consideration of thoracic surgery in localized disease.

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