Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM): Causes

Unlike tuberculosis (TB), which is spread from person to person, nontuberculous mycobacteria infections are not considered contagious. There is no evidence that the infection can be transmitted from one person to another. Just how and why people become infected with NTM is not clear. Although the germs are found easily in water and soil, they do not affect most people. Doctors believe that some people who become infected have an unknown defect in their lung structure or function or in their immune systems. People who have damaged lung tissue from diseases such as emphysema, bronchiectasis, adult cystic fibrosis or previous TB infection appear to be at greater risk for developing a NTM infection. People who are immunocompromised such as those who receive strong immunosuppressant medications such as prednisone or remicaid have a greater risk of developing an NTM infection that affects all organs of the body, not only the lungs. Patients with AIDS may also develop NTM infections.

This information has been approved by Gwen Huitt, MD  (April 2009).