Eradication success for non-tuberculous mycobacteria in children with cystic fibrosis

What is it about?

The prevalence of NTM infections is on the rise, with growing evidence that M. abscessus in particular is one of the most detrimental infections to outcomes. However treatment is long, poorly tolerated, and based on consensus guidelines dominated by experience from adult patients. In this research letter we report data from 8 years of NTM treatment within the paediatric CF centre at the Royal Brompton Hospital. Our rates of treatment success – up to 73% eradication in M. abscessus pulmonary disease and 78% for M. avium complex – are significantly higher than previously reported mixed paediatric and adult studies. We also report culture positivity 6 months into treatment as a predictor for treatment failure, identifying a potential opportunity for treatment intensification.

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