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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Apr 1.
Published in final edited form as: Eur J Intern Med. 2014 Mar 29;25(4):356–363. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2014.03.008

Table 3.

Summary of the American Thoracic Society diagnostic criteria for pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection

General

  • ymptoms of a pulmonary disease

    and

  • Exclusion of other lung diseases

Chest Images

  • Chest radiograph: cavitary or nodular opacifications

    or

  • High resolution computed tomographic scan (HRCT): multifocal bronchiectasis with multiple small nodules

Laboratory

  • Positive culture results from at least two separate specimens

    or

  • Positive culture from at least one bronchial wash or BAL

    or

  • Transbronchial (TLBC) or other lung biopsy with granulomatous inflammation changes

    or

  • AFB plus one or more sputum, bronchial wash or BAL culture which are positive for NTM

Expert consultation is suggested when NTM isolates are either infrequently encountered or usually indicated environmental contamination
Patients who are believed to have NTM lung disease but not meet the diagnostic criteria should be followed until the diagnosis is established or excluded
Making the diagnosis of NTM lung disease does not demand the institution of therapy, which is a decision upon potential risks and benefits of therapy for every individual patient