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BMJ Case Rep 2018 May 26;2018. Epub 2018 May 26.

Internal Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) most often develops in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. We present a 91-year-old non-asthmatic patient with pre-existing Mycobacteriumavium complex (MAC) infection who got diagnosed with ABPA. Treatment of the two conditions can be challenging as immunosuppression with steroids for treatment of ABPA may exacerbate the underlying MAC infection. Read More

Biomed Environ Sci 2018 Apr;31(4):290-299

State Key Laboratory for Infectious Diseases Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.

Objective: Macrolide susceptibility and drug resistance mechanisms of clinical non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates were preliminarily investigated for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of the infection in China.

Methods: Four macrolides, including clarithromycin (CLAR), azithromycin (AZM), roxithromycin (ROX), and erythromycin (ERY), were used to test the drug susceptibility of 310 clinical NTM isolates from six provinces of China with the broth microdilution method. Two resistance mechanisms, 23S rRNA and erm, were analyzed with nucleotide sequence analysis. Read More

J Cutan Med Surg 2018 May 1:1203475418776945. Epub 2018 May 1.

3 Division of Diagnostic and Applied Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Alberta and the Alberta Provincial Public Health Laboratory, WC Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Background: Cutaneous infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) occur infrequently. Nonetheless, the incidence of NTM infections is reported to be increasing. In Canada, cutaneous NTM infections have not been well described. Read More

J Bacteriol 2018 Feb 26. Epub 2018 Feb 26.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) include species that colonize human epithelia, as well as species that are ubiquitous in soil and aquatic environments. NTM that primarily inhabit soil and aquatic environments include the complex (MAC, and ) and the complex (MABSC, subspecies , , and ), and can be free-living, biofilm-associated, or amoeba-associated. Although NTM are rarely pathogenic in immunocompetent individuals, those who are immunocompromised - due to either an inherited or acquired immunodeficiency - are highly susceptible to NTM infection (NTMI). Read More

PLoS One 2018 5;13(2):e0190189. Epub 2018 Feb 5.

First Department of Medicine, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection is increasing in prevalence worldwide even in immunocompetent individuals. Despite its variable clinical course, the clinical and immunological factors associated with radiographical severity and progression are not largely unknown. We aimed to study the association between the inflammatory cell and cytokine profiles at the local infected site, and the radiological severity and/or progression of pulmonary MAC infection. Read More

Respir Investig 2018 Jan 6;56(1):87-93. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Oita University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: In Japan, nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is mostly attributable to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), i.e., M. Read More

Pediatr Allergy Immunol Pulmonol 2017 12;30(4):257-259

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

An 11-month-old healthy infant girl was noted to have left lower lobe (LLL) opacities on chest X-ray (CXR) after developing desaturations during an elective cochlear implant surgery. Repeat CXR 10 days later revealed hyperexpansion of the left lung and persistent LLL opacity. Chest computerized tomography revealed enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes, left mainstem bronchial obstruction, and nodular opacities. Read More

PLoS One 2017 22;12(12):e0189981. Epub 2017 Dec 22.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gaborone, Botswana.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause pulmonary infection and disease especially among people living with HIV (PLHIV). PLHIV with NTM disease may clinically present with one of the four symptoms consistent with tuberculosis (TB). We describe the prevalence of NTM and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolated among PLHIV who presented for HIV care and treatment. Read More

J Gen Fam Med 2017 12 15;18(6):425-427. Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Department of Infection Control and Prevention Kurume University School of Medicine Fukuoka Japan.

A 78-year-old Japanese woman with rheumatoid arthritis was admitted to our hospital due to fever. She had been prescribed prednisolone and bucillamine. Computed tomography revealed abscesses on extremities. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2018 Jun 19;29(7):720-722. Epub 2017 Dec 19.

1 Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central, Lisboa, Portugal.

A 66-year-old woman with HIV-1 infection recently commenced on antiretroviral therapy (CD4+ 25 cells/mm was referred to the Dermatology Clinic the following month due to a well-demarcated nodule in the extensor surface of the left arm with evident fluctuation but only slight pain on palpation, with no increase in temperature. Surgical drainage was performed with aspiration of yellowish-green exudate, with no characteristic smell. In culture of cutaneous exudate, Mycobacterium intracellulare was isolated. Read More

Transplant Proc 2017 Dec;49(10):2362-2364

Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Intestinal Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections are rare and can be challenging to diagnose. We describe a case of intestinal MAC infection in a kidney transplant recipient with 5 months of unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain who developed intestinal obstruction. Esophagoduodenoscopy with biopsies was performed but was nondiagnostic. Read More

Rev Peru Med Exp Salud Publica 2017 Apr-Jun;34(2):323-327

Servicio de Medicina en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Tropicales, Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo. Lima, Perú.

There is little information on the presence of the Mycobacterium avium-Intracellulare (MAC) complex in Peru. Five cases of MAC infection are described in patients with HIV/AIDS at the National Hospital Dos de Mayo, Lima - Peru. The patients presented, mainly, persistent fever, chronic diarrhea, consumptive syndrome, pancytopenia and citofagocitosis. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Nov 24;7(1):16300. Epub 2017 Nov 24.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Multicenter, longitudinal studies on nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infection (PI) are lacking. This study provides a 5-year epidemiological overview of NTM-PI in Taiwan and investigated its predictors. The clinical relevance of each respiratory NTM isolate in six hospitals between 2008 and 2014 was determined according to current guidelines. Read More

Respir Med 2017 Dec 6;133:36-41. Epub 2017 Nov 6.

Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, 388-1 Pungnap-Dong, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, 05505, South Korea. Electronic address:

Background: The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection has increased over the last 10 years. However, the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with NTM pleuritis have not been well defined.

Methods: Patients with pleural effusion and NTM lung disease diagnosed between 1997 and 2013 were enrolled and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Read More

Int J Mycobacteriol 2017 Oct-Dec;6(4):336-343

Department of Infectious, Respiratory, and Digestive Medicine, Control and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyu, Okinawa, Japan.

Sweet's syndrome is reportedly associated with preceding nontuberculous mycobacterial infections (NTMIs). Here, we report on a systemic Mycobacterium intracellulare infection in a patient on corticoid therapy for Sweet's syndrome. Literature searches show that 69. Read More

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2017 Oct-Dec;5(4):2324709617740904. Epub 2017 Nov 14.

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA.

Disseminated -intracellulare complex (MAC) infection is one of the relatively common opportunistic infections seen in severely immunocompromised AIDS patients. A constellation of clinical, laboratory, and pathological features involving multiple organ systems are often present in disseminated MAC infection but disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has not been previously described in association with this condition. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of DIC complicating disseminated MAC infection in an AIDS patient. Read More

Arch Pediatr 2017 Dec 20;24(12):1271-1274. Epub 2017 Nov 20.

Pédiatrie générale, CHU Ambroise-Paré, AP-HP, 9, avenue Charles-de-Gaulle, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France. Electronic address:

Hot tub lung is a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by inhalational exposure to the Mycobacterium avium complex. We report the case of a 14-year-old boy presenting dyspnea with hypoxemia, whose medical history and clinical course helped make the diagnosis. Infectious causes were considered first, and antibiotics were initiated without success. Read More

Am J Chin Med 2017 9;45(8):1597-1611. Epub 2017 Nov 9.

1 Department of Basic Medical Science for Nursing, Department of Primary Education, Yasuda Women's University, Hiroshima, Japan.

The high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in developing countries, the resurgence of TB in industrialized countries, and the worldwide increase in the prevalence of Mycobacterium avium complex infections have prompted the quest for new antimycobacterial drugs. However, the development of such chemotherapeutics is currently making very slow progress. It therefore appears that devising improved administration protocols for clinical treatment against intractable mycobacteriosis using existing chemotherapeutics is more practical than awaiting the development of novel antimycobacterial drugs. Read More

Gastroenterology 2017 Dec 4;153(6):e6-e7. Epub 2017 Nov 4.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cleveland clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.

Med Mal Infect 2018 May 6;48(3):215-217. Epub 2017 Oct 6.

Service de pneumologie, CHU de La Réunion site Félix-Guyon, allée des Topazes, 97400 Saint-Denis, La Réunion.

Can J Ophthalmol 2017 10 19;52(5):e178-e181. Epub 2017 May 19.

Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. Electronic address:

PLoS One 2017 2;12(10):e0185774. Epub 2017 Oct 2.

Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background/purpose: Although the incidence of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease is increasing, the long-term natural course of the nodular bronchiectatic form of MAC lung disease is not well described. The objective of our study is to evaluate long-term radiologic changes in untreated MAC lung disease by analyzing serial chest computed tomography (CT) scan findings.

Methods: Of 104 patients with MAC lung disease, we selected 40 untreated nodular bronchiectatic MAC patients who underwent serial chest CTs without treatment for at least four years (mean = 6. Read More

Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2017 Oct;119(4):390-391.e1

Department of Allergy and Immunology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Respir Med 2017 Oct 1;131:220-224. Epub 2017 Sep 1.

Radboud University Medical Centre, University Centre of Chronic Diseases Dekkerswald, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, PO Box 9101, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address:

Background: The incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) has increased in the Netherlands. The fibro-cavitary disease manifestation predominates, as elsewhere in Europe. We studied treatment and outcome of this disease manifestation, as such data are scarce. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i3-i19

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the level of funding support and the sputum culture conversion rates in pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (P-MAC) disease in adult patients without cystic fibrosis or HIV infection, treated with recommended antibiotic regimens.

Methods: We performed a literature search to identify clinical trials, prospective studies and registries that reported outcomes in P-MAC patients. Studies that reported P-MAC diagnosis and treatments based on established guidelines met the inclusion criteria and were examined for bias and quality. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i54-i60

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prevalence is on the rise worldwide. The average therapy duration is 1.5 years, which is associated with poor cure rates. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i43-i47

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To develop a thioridazine/moxifloxacin-based combination regimen for treatment of pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) that kills bacteria faster than the standard treatment regimen.

Methods: Monocytes were infected with MAC and inoculated into the hollow-fibre system model for pulmonary MAC disease (HFS-MAC). We co-administered ethambutol plus azithromycin daily for 28 days, to achieve the same human concentration-time profiles that result from standard doses, in three HFS-MAC systems. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i48-i53

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of ceftazidime/avibactam plus tedizolid-based combination regimens with the standard therapy of azithromycin, ethambutol and rifabutin for the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease.

Methods: We mimicked the human pulmonary concentration-time profiles of ceftazidime/avibactam and tedizolid in combination, ceftazidime/avibactam, rifabutin, tedizolid and moxifloxacin (CARTM), and the standard regimen and examined microbial kill in triplicate hollow-fibre system model of intracellular pulmonary MAC (HFS-MAC) units. The tedizolid and moxifloxacin doses used were non-optimized; the tedizolid dose was that associated with bacteriostasis. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i30-i35

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To determine if tedizolid is effective for pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease, and to use pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics to design optimal doses.

Methods: We performed an exposure-response experiment in the hollow-fibre system model of intracellular MAC (HFS-MAC). We mimicked the tedizolid concentration-time profiles achieved in the lungs of patients treated once daily for 28 days. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i24-i29

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To identify the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and exposures of linezolid in the treatment of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease.

Methods: Human-derived monocytes infected with MAC were inoculated into hollow-fibre systems for dose-effect and dose-scheduling studies. We mimicked linezolid concentration-time profiles achieved in adult human lungs treated for 28 days. Read More

J Antimicrob Chemother 2017 Sep;72(suppl_2):i20-i23

Center for Infectious Diseases Research and Experimental Therapeutics, Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Objectives: To investigate the performance of the two backbone drugs in the standard combination therapy regimen in the hollow-fibre system (HFS) model of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection.

Methods: Six HFS were inoculated with human-derived monocytes infected with MAC, and treated with 15 mg/kg of ethambutol and 500 mg of azithromycin daily for 28 days to recapitulate the concentration-time profiles seen in the lungs of humans treated with these drugs and doses. The concentration-time profiles achieved were validated by sampling the central compartment at seven timepoints over 24 h. Read More

Saudi J Biol Sci 2017 Sep 6;24(6):1380-1386. Epub 2016 Feb 6.

Departments of Mycobacteriology & Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.

The genus contains more than 150 species. Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) often cause extrapulmonary and pulmonary disease. Mycobacteria detection at species level is necessary and provides useful information on epidemiology and facilitates successful treatment of patients. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2017 Aug 28;11(1):240. Epub 2017 Aug 28.

Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365 Clifton Road NE, The Emory Clinic, Building A - Suite 3244, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.

Background: Lung transplantation remains an important potential therapeutic option for end-stage lung disease. It can improve quality of life and in some cases be a life-lengthening therapy. Despite the possible benefits, there are also many potential complications following transplantation. Read More

PLoS One 2017 21;12(8):e0183489. Epub 2017 Aug 21.

Department of Immunology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Nara, Japan.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), cause opportunistic chronic pulmonary infections. Notably, MAC susceptibility is regulated by various factors, including the host immune system. Persimmon (Ebenaceae Diospyros kaki Thunb. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2017 Oct 19;23(10):703-708. Epub 2017 Aug 19.

Center for Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Keio University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address:

MicroRNA (miRNA) has been recently recognized as a biomarker of various diseases; however, there are no known miRNAs associated with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease. In addition, there are no known biomarkers to precisely reflect disease activity after the diagnosis of MAC pulmonary disease. Thus, we sought to identify a miRNA which is a candidate biomarker of MAC pulmonary disease activity. Read More

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017 12 6;33(12):1202-1204. Epub 2017 Sep 6.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Hospital and Monash University , Melbourne, Victoria, Australia .

A 10-year review of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection and MAC-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in HIV-positive patients (2004-2014) at a state-wide tertiary referral HIV service demonstrates that despite advances in antiretroviral therapy, MAC infection remains a therapeutic challenge, particularly intra-abdominal disease. Read More

J Clin Immunol 2017 Oct 5;37(7):644-649. Epub 2017 Aug 5.

Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Aichi Medical University Hospital, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan.

A 67-year-old Japanese female with back pain and severe cachexia visited our hospital. The diagnosis was disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection (dMAC) with multiple bone involvement. Anti-mycobacterial chemotherapy was started, but fever persisted and dislocation of cervical vertebrae has made her bedridden. Read More

Biomed Environ Sci 2017 Jul;30(7):517-525

National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China.

Objective: Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) and Mycobacterium intracellulare (M. intracellulare) are the major causative agents of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)-related pulmonary infections. Read More

J Zoo Wildl Med 2017 Jun;48(2):544-548

A 19-yr-old castrated male binturong ( Arctictis binturong ) with a history of recurrent pyogranulomatous panniculitis, lymphangitis, and dermatitis was presented for evaluation of hyporexia and tenesmus. A large caudal abdominal mass was palpated on physical examination. On ultrasound, the mass encircled and obstructed the left ureter, resulting in hydroureter and hydronephrosis. Read More

JRSM Open 2017 Jul 6;8(7):2054270417716614. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.

Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infection or colonization should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hypercalcemia, especially in immunocompromised individuals, in the appropriate clinical context. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017 Jul;97(1):57-61

Mycobacteriology Research Centre (MRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) cause significant pulmonary infections in humans. Researchers have reported an association between interferon-gamma receptor-1 (IFN-R1 or IFNGR1) deficiency and susceptibility to NTM, but the relevance of polymorphism within these genes is not yet clear. In this study, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), T to C, at position-56 in NTM patients with pulmonary disease was investigated. Read More

J Comput Assist Tomogr 2018 Jan/Feb;42(1):151-154

We report the imaging findings of a patient with disseminated Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex presenting with multiple splenic lesions incompletely characterized on computed tomography in whom magnetic resonance imaging helped narrow the differential diagnosis. We discuss the magnetic resonance imaging findings suggesting the diagnosis, including the presence of focal susceptibility artifact within the lesions (ie, signal drop on T1 in-phase imaging), marked hypointensity on diffusion-weighted imaging, and faint progressive peripheral enhancement after contrast administration. We provide pathologic correlation to explain these imaging characteristics and a review of the literature of imaging characteristics in splenic involvement of M. Read More

J Clin Microbiol 2017 09 28;55(9):2736-2751. Epub 2017 Jun 28.

Department of Microbiology, Institute for Immunology and Immunological Diseases, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea

The prevalence of tuberculosis continues to be high, and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection has also emerged worldwide. Moreover, differential and accurate identification of mycobacteria to the species or subspecies level is an unmet clinical need. Here, we developed a one-step multiplex PCR assay using whole-genome analysis and bioinformatics to identify novel molecular targets. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2017 06 19;17(1):436. Epub 2017 Jun 19.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Miwa, Kurashiki, Okayama, 710-0052, Japan.

Background: Patients with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease (LD) have a heterogeneous prognosis. This study aimed to develop and validate a prognostic scoring model for these patients using independent risk factors for survival.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with MAC-LD from two hospitals (cohort 1, n = 368; cohort 2, n = 118). Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2017 06 15;17(1):432. Epub 2017 Jun 15.

Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang, 10408, South Korea.

Background: The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections is increasing worldwide, however formal evaluations of the epidemiology of NTM infections are limited. Understanding the trends and true prevalence of NTM is a major priority for optimizing infection control programmes and resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and radiologic findings in NTM-infected patients at specialized Tuberculosis (Tb) treatment centre in South Korea, which is endemic to Tb, and find solutions to control NTM infections. Read More

Cancer Cytopathol 2017 Sep 13;125(9):717-725. Epub 2017 Jun 13.

Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland.

Background: The sensitivity and specificity of positron emission tomography (PET) have been significantly improved for the identification of malignancies in recent years; however, it is still necessary to confirm PET findings in a lymph node (LN) by direct tissue sampling. Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is the most commonly used approach for diagnosing and staging mediastinal LNs, particularly in lung cancer patients with locally advanced disease. Despite this fact, evidence-based studies of EBUS-TBNA cytology and PET findings are still suboptimal. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2017 Sep 10;23(9):604-608. Epub 2017 Jun 10.

Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ijinkai Takeda General Hospital, Japan. Electronic address:

Background And Objective: The utility of bronchoscopy for the diagnosis of pulmonary Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) disease has been reported; however, which patients require bronchoscopy remains unclear. Our objective was to identify the characteristics of the patients in whom bronchoscopy is needed for the diagnosis of MAC disease.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with pulmonary MAC disease were divided into two groups according to established diagnostic criteria: 39 patients were diagnosed by sputum culture and 15 patients were diagnosed by bronchial lavage culture. Read More

Int J STD AIDS 2017 12 7;28(14):1426-1432. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

The incidence of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in HIV patients has fallen markedly since the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, current guidelines still recommend primary prophylaxis. We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a university-affiliated hospital from January 1998 to January 2014. Read More

Int J Mycobacteriol 2017 Apr-Jun;6(2):202-206

Department of Infectious Disease, San Antonio Military Medical Center, TX 78234, USA.

Disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (DMAC) has historically been described in the immunocompromised. The current epidemiologic research suggests that the incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections is increasing. We present a case of DMAC infection manifesting as hepatic granulomas in a 35-year-old immunocompetent female. Read More