

Several studies identified specific NTM patient factors that were associated with progressive disease and led to more immediate antibiotic treatment initiation. Read more about the factors and circumstances that should get you thinking about treatment:

The decision to initiate antibiotic treatment should be individualized based on a risk-benefit analysis, taking into account patient symptoms, radiologic findings, and microbiologic results. When should I consider treatment immediately?Īfter confirming an NTM lung disease diagnosis, the 2020 NTM Guidelines recommend treatment initiation rather than “watchful waiting” in certain diagnosed patients, especially in those with positive AFB sputum smears and cavitary disease.
NEW ANTIBIOTICS FOR MAC MAC

When making treatment decisions for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease, such as Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease, the 2020 NTM Guidelines recommend initiating treatment rather than watchful waiting for certain diagnosed patients and suggest that the decision should be individualized based on a combination of clinical factors. The 2020 NTM Guidelines recommend treatment initiation rather than "watchful waiting" in certain diagnosed patients.
