Mycobacterial infections constitute a substantial worldwide problem because of their ubiquitous nature, inherent drug resistance, and increasing incidence.

Designing safe and effective nontuberculous mycobacterial infection treatments is challenging because of variability in treatment regimens for different mycobacterial species, infection sites, and disease severity, in addition to medication adverse effects, the prolonged duration of therapy, and common patient comorbid conditions.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial treatment regimen framework designs generally include the use of at least two drugs, which may include an intensive stage followed by a maintenance stage, and drug choices are often informed by microbiologic data.

Emerging treatments include tetracycline derivatives, oxazolidinones, combination β-lactams, β-lactamase inhibitors, and phage therapy.