Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Keratitis

Mycobacterium species that are considered typical are the tuberculosis species such as M.tu‐ berculosis, M.bovis, M.africarium and M.leprae. These species have only human or animal res‐ ervoirs and are not transmitted by water. In contrast, the species Non-Tuberculosis or “atypical”, naturally are ubiquitous in soil and water and have been found as normal flora of skin, sputum, and gastric contents. These bacteria are resistant to common, disinfectants, chlorine, formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.