Morning Session of NTM Meeting
Denver, November 2007
Great information so far. Here are a few surprises:
1.) There does not appear to be a correlation between the severity of bronchiectasis and acquiring an NTM infection. In fact, it appears that, at least in CF and PCD, most people who acquire NTM (non-tuberculous mycobacterial) infections have mild clinical disease. This really surprised me and also adds to the suspicion that susceptibility to these organisms may be more a matter of genetic pre-disposition than of disease progression or exposure. The same is true of ABPA (allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis).
2.) The crucial factor in predicting how well you will respond to NTM treatment is whether or not you culture clarithromycin (Biaxin)-resistant organisms.
3.) The importance of not only getting very regular cultures, but cultures that are sent to appropriate labs was reiterated over and over again. This is not just true for NTM bugs. As patients we have to not accept lax culture practices from our personal pulmonary physicians.
Off to lunch–more this afternoon.
Michele