Andrejak et al identified prognostic factors for a patient with nontuberculous mycobacteria involving the lungs. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark and Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Amiens in France.
Patient selection: involvement limited to the lungs
Pulmonary involvement by a nontuberculous mycobacterial species may encompass either colonization or pneumonia.
Factors associated with a poor prognosis:
(1) male gender
(2) age >= 65 years
(3) high levels of comorbidity
(4) M. xenopi as the mycobacterial species
Interestingly outcomes for colonization and pneumonia were similar.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
