Drug Resistance of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria

Non-tuberculous Mycobacterium species (NTMs) are considered opportunistic pathogens as they cause disease in animals as well as in susceptible humans. Infections can vary from asymptomatic nodules to chronic, debilitating lung and skin infections. Depending on species- and strain-specific characteristics, some NTM infections respond readily to antibiotic treatment, while others exhibit intrinsic and non-intrinsic resistance to multiple antibiotics. Intrinsic drug resistance by NTMs may have evolutionary roots in the soil.