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nontuberculous%20mycobacterial%20disease

NONTUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIAL DISEASE

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are ubiquitous and are usually found in soil, natural and treated water sources. They are relatively uncommon cause of pulmonary disease and likely to cause disseminated disease.
May cause both asymptomatic infection and symptomatic disease in humans.
There is no evidence of animal-to-human or human-to-human transmission in immunocompetent hosts.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease is a generally slowly progressive infection.
Signs and symptoms are generally nonspecific.

Nontuberculous%20mycobacterial%20disease Patient Education

Patient Education

Advise patient on the importance of adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen, both to achieve cure & to prevent emergence of drug resistance
Instruct patients regarding symptoms suggesting adverse drug reactions & advise them to seek assistance when these occur
Smoking cessation is important for improved airway function
In patients w/ hypersensitivity-like pulmonary disease, complete avoidance of mycobacterial antigen is recommended:
- Use of indoor hot tub should be avoided for hot tub lung
- Avoid exposure to metalworking fluid for metal grinders
For hot tubs & indoor pools, advise patient to follow maintenance procedures (eg draining & thorough cleaning of the tub & filtering system), patient on the importance of adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen, both to achieve cure & to prevent emergence of drug resistance

Searches for unproven COVID-19 therapies spike after high-profile endorsements

Roshini Claire Anthony, 18 Jun 2020

Endorsement of unproven COVID-19 treatments by high-profile public figures led to a drastic increase in the search and purchase of said treatments in the US, according to a research letter published in JAMA.

Gut dysbiosis in COVID-19 prompts development of probiotic supplement

Christina Lau, 23 Jun 2020

Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have significant gut dysbiosis that persists even after viral clearance and resolution of respiratory symptoms, according to a metagenomic study by the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). These findings have led to the development of a probiotic supplement expected to be available in a few months.