ABSTRACT

The spectrum of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections has changed. Improved understaning  of immunopathogenesis of slow growing mycobacterial disease has been accompanied by a higher number of cases in patients with, or without cancer. In recent years, difficult-to-treat infections due to rapidly growing mycobacteria are on the rise, this may in part reflect newer molecular identification methods; however, rise in susceptible immunosuppressed patient population and frequently used indwelling prosthetic devices are also important contributors in this trend. Despite resistance to a number of available antimicrobilas, newer agents may provide the much-needed treatment options for high-risk cancer patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infection-disease.