• Hundreds of species, don’t often cause problem
  • Classic problem: Mycobacterium Avium Comlex (MAC)

Presentation

• Slow, chronic, indolent presentation
• 3 common lung presentations:
  • In the context of structural lung disease: present as Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • In the absence of structural lung disease: Lady Windermere Syndrome
  • Can lead to Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

Management

• Observation unless active disease:
  • recurrent positive Sputum Sample
  • ANDCXR - Chest X ray
  • AND SYMPTOMS (unlike TB, lots of people with positive culture can be asymptomatic)
• Therapy is length and potentially toxic (Anti-Microbial )