Abstract
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental microbes that cause a variety
of human diseases, particularly chronic lung infections. Despite the fact that NTM
are widespread in the environment, relatively few people develop NTM lung disease,
suggesting intrinsic vulnerability in some individuals. This paper reviews the evidence
that underlying disorders predispose to NTM lung disease, in particular primary conditions
that result in bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, α-1-antitrypsin
anomalies, pneumoconiosis, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and frank immunosuppressive
states such as that associated with the use of anti–tumor necrosis factor-α biologics,
posttransplantation immunosuppression, and HIV infection. Over the past several decades,
NTM lung disease has been increasingly identified in postmenopausal women with slender
body habitus. Thus we will also review the clinical and experimental evidence which
supports the observation that such individuals are predisposed to NTM lung disease.
Keywords
Marfan syndrome - environmental mycobacteria - bronchiectasis - pectus excavatum -
scoliosis - nontuberculous mycobacteria
