European Respiratory Journal | 2019
Unresolved issues in treatment outcome definitions for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease
Abstract
The incidence and prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing worldwide [1, 2]. NTM-PD treatment is challenging due to long-term, multiple antibiotic therapy and poor treatment outcomes [3, 4]. Standardised treatment outcome definitions for NTM-PD were recently reported in the Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Network European Trials Group (NTM-NET) consensus statement [5], and are an important development for patient management and clinical research [5]. Evaluation of treatment outcomes after 6 months may be appropriate for NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) patients. Patients with a single positive culture after culture conversion should be carefully followed up to detect recurrence of NTM-PD. http://ow.ly/JrSy30oj3uZ