Table 1. American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria on nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease.

Clinical and radiographic

Pulmonary symptoms, nodular or cavitary opacities on chest radiograph, or an high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan that shows multifocal bronchiectasis with multiple small nodules and; Appropriate exclusion of other diagnoses

Microbiologic

Positive culture results from at least two separate expectorated sputum samples. (If the results from the initial sputum samples are non-diagnosed, consider repeat sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears and cultures) or; Positive culture results from at least one bronchial wash or lavage or;

Histopathologic

Transbronchial or other lung biopsy with mycobacterial histopathologic features (granulomatous inflammation or AFB) and positive culture for NTM or biopsy showing mycobacterial histopathologic features (granulomatous inflammation or AFB) and one or more sputum or bronchial washings that are culture positive for NTM.

Note: Table adapted from Griffith et al. [12].