by Tulane University Credit: CC0 Public DomainInhaling nontuberculous mycobacteria is common for most people. The bacteria are found in water systems, soil and dust worldwide and, for many, cause no harm.For those with underlying conditions, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can infect the lungs, causing symptoms similar to tuberculosis. Inflammation can cause a chronic and sometimes bloody...
LEHIGH UNIVERSITY IMAGE: VASSIE WARE IS A PROFESSOR IN LEHIGH UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND IS CO-DIRECTOR OF LEHIGH’S HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTION (HHMI) BIOSCIENCE PROGRAM AND DISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM. A phage is a virus that invades a bacterial cell. While harmless to human cells, phages are potentially deadly to bacteria since many phages...
GERMAN CENTER FOR INFECTION RESEARCH NTMs are closely related to tuberculosis bacteria and can (but do not need to) cause infectious diseases in humans. They are called “nontuberculous mycobacteria” (NTMs) to distinguish them from tuberculosis bacteria. There are approximately 200 different species and subspecies of these bacteria. Patients with bronchiectasis (dilation of the airways) are...
AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY Sept. 14, 2018–Patients using inhaled steroids to control asthma and other breathing problems may be at greater risk for developing nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung infections, according to new research published online in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society. IMAGE: USING INHALED STEROIDS MAY INCREASE NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIA (NTM) LUNG INFECTION RISK. NTM are...
