Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Tuberculosis: Exhaled Breath-Generated Aerosols of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Patients with acute exacerbation of tuberculosis can now be treated successfully with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) [1]. NIV is effective not only in cases of rapidly progressive mycobacterial tuberculosis but also in chronic cases where the disease has exacerbated. NIV use may reduce the high demand for intensive care unit (ICU) beds [2]. This is the first study to assess clinically the risk of spread of mycobacterial tuberculosis infection by droplet or aerosol during NIV.