Nontuberculous mycobacteria in the environment

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens of humans that are found in waters, soil, and aerosols. NTM cause pulmonary, skin, soft tissue, and disseminated infections. A variety of lung disorders predispose humans to pulmonary infection. They are disinfectant and antibiotic resistant and adapted to survival in both the environment and in infected humans.