Tuberc Respir Dis.  2014 Jul;77(1):1-5.

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in Korea

• Kwon YS
• Koh WJ

Abstract

The recovery of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) from respiratory specimens and the number of patients with NTM lung disease have been rapidly increasing in Korea. An early differential diagnosis of NTM lung disease from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is important, as the therapeutic regimen differs from that of pulmonary TB, and it is not necessary to track the contacts of patients with NTM lung disease. However, differentiating NTM lung disease from pulmonary TB remains difficult, because the clinical presentations of the two diseases are similar and a definite diagnosis of NTM lung disease based on sputum culture takes time. This review focuses on the changing epidemiology, clinical and radiographic manifestation, and laboratory diagnosis of pulmonary TB and NTM lung disease in Korea.

Keyword

Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Epidemiology; Diagnosis; Korea

MeSH Terms

Clinical Laboratory Techniques
Diagnosis*
Diagnosis, Differential
Epidemiology
Humans
Korea
Lung Diseases*
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Sputum
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Fibrocavitary form of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in a 53-year-old male with Mycobacterium avium lung disease. Chest high-resolution computed tomography shows a large cavity in the left upper lobe. Note the severe emphysema in both lungs.

• 

  Figure 2 Nodular bronchiectatic form of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease in a 60-year-old female with Mycobacterium abscessus lung disease. Chest high-resolution computed tomography shows severe bronchiectasis in the right middle lobe and the lingular segment of the left upper lobe. Note the multiple small nodules suggesting bronchiolitis in both lungs.

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