Novel therapies for treatment of resistant and refractory nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in patients with cystic fibrosis

Respiratory infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a major cause of morbidity for patients living with cystic fibrosis (CF), as NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is challenging to both diagnose and eradicate. Despite the lengthy courses of the established regimens recommended by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and European Cystic Fibrosis Society (ECFS) consensus guidelines, only about 50% to 60% of patients achieve culture conversion, and treatment regimens are often complicated by antibiotic resistance and toxicities. Since publication of the CFF/ECFS guidelines, several new or alternative antibiotic regimens have been described for patients with CF who have NTM-PD. These regimens offer new options for patients who do not clear NTM with standard therapies or cannot utilize the usual regimens due to toxicities or drug-drug interactions.

Automated summary

Respiratory infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a major challenge for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), with only 50% to 60% of patients achieving culture conversion despite lengthy treatment regimens. New or alternative antibiotic regimens have been described for CF patients with NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) who do not respond to standard therapies, providing new options for those with toxicities or drug interactions.