Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection refers to infection due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria and is described in the sources as a broad clinical entity with both localized and systemic manifestations ^[1]. Reported presentations include cervical or intrathoracic lymphadenitis in children, cutaneous infection, isolated pulmonary infection, and disseminated infection ^[1]. The available material also identifies a cervicofacial form as an uncommon pediatric presentation ^[2].

The clinical spectrum in the sources ranges from painless submandibular or preauricular lymphadenopathy in young immunocompetent children to chronic, disseminated disease ^[2][1]. Cervicofacial infection may be benign and self-limiting, but delayed recognition can lead to a chronically draining fistula ^[2]. Other reported clinical forms include cutaneous infection, cervical or intrathoracic lymphadenitis, isolated pulmonary infection, and disseminated infection at all ages ^[1]. For bronchiectasis contexts, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection is identified as an underlying cause that should be sought when evaluating chronic respiratory disease ^[3].

The sources describe cervicofacial disease as an uncommon condition in immunocompetent children aged 1 to 5 years ^[2]. More broadly, non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections are reported across childhood and adulthood, with disseminated infection occurring at all ages ^[1]. The literature also notes increasing prevalence of isolated pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in people without recognised immune dysfunction ^[1]. No source-backed geographic distribution, outbreak pattern, or population burden estimate is available in the provided material.

The provided sources do not define a specific person-to-person transmission route for non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Instead, they emphasize clinical presentation and host susceptibility, including underlying immune defects associated with disseminated disease ^[1]. Source-backed detail on environmental exposure pathways, reservoirs, or persistence in the community is not yet available.

The sources identify immunocompetent children aged 1 to 5 years with painless submandibular or preauricular lymphadenopathy as a key group for cervicofacial presentation ^[2]. They also describe disseminated infection in individuals with underlying immune defects, including several inherited mutations, GATA2 deficiency, and anti-interferon gamma autoantibodies, as well as isolated pulmonary infection in people without recognised immune dysfunction ^[1]. No additional source-backed high-risk group detail is available in the provided material ^[1].

Source-backed prevention information is limited. One review states that recognition of the underlying immune defect is crucial for rational treatment, preventive care, and family screening in susceptible patients ^[1]. For cervicofacial disease, the source emphasizes prompt identification and management to reduce the risk of chronically draining fistula, but it does not provide a formal prevention strategy ^[2].

For surveillance purposes, this entity should be treated as a heterogeneous umbrella term spanning localized and disseminated disease, with important differences by age, immune status, and anatomic site ^[1]. The provided sources suggest particular attention to painless cervicofacial lymphadenopathy in immunocompetent children aged 1 to 5 years and to unexplained pulmonary or disseminated disease in patients with possible host susceptibility ^[2][1]. Because the concept is broad and the material is clinically oriented, case interpretation should be cautious and anchored to the specific syndrome documented in each report ^[2][1].

1. 1 Wu UI et al. Host susceptibility to non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections. Lancet Infect Dis. 2015 Aug. PMID: 26049967. doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00089-4. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26049967/
2. 2 Im E et al. Understanding pediatric cervicofacial non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. JAAPA. 2025 Feb 1. PMID: 39761449. doi: 10.1097/01.JAA.0000000000000169. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39761449/
3. 3 Pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Radiopaedia.org. 2010. doi: 10.53347/rid-12129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.53347/rid-12129
4. 4 Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection in children. Paediatrics and Child Health. 2021. doi: 10.1016/j.paed.2020.12.002. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paed.2020.12.002
5. 5 Barbosa M et al. Bronchiectasis. Presse Med. 2023 Sep. PMID: 37778637. doi: 10.1016/j.lpm.2023.104174. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37778637/
6. 6 Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. OSH Manual of Childhood Infections. 2016. doi: 10.1093/med/9780198729228.003.0091. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198729228.003.0091

ICD-10

ICD-11

Total cases

4

Peak month

2000-08

Coverage

1 reporting countries · 2000-01-01 → 2026-06-01