About this Research Topic

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a group of ubiquitous environmental saprophytic organisms that can potentially cause serious infections, known as mycobacterioses, in animals and humans. Clinical manifestations of mycobacterioses vary and range from absence of clinical signs to mild or severe illness; i.e. chronic pulmonary, disseminated, and lymphatic diseases depending on the particular NTM species and on the host’s immune status. Over the past three decades, the global prevalence of NTM pulmonary disease in humans has increased dramatically. Strains within the mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), are the main driver of this increase. Livestock, household pets, free-living and wild animals are susceptible to MAC infections. Especially MAC-infected domestic and other animals can pose as potential zoonoses risk to human health. Unfortunately, MAC infections in humans are difficult to treat and treatment attempts often fail due to microbiological relapse. Moreover, there is increasing evidence that MAC are developing multi-drug resistance.
There is clearly a need for further research into the virulence factors associated with NTM infection to better understand their mechanisms of invasion and pathogenicity. The clinical manifestations of mycobacterioses are variable and non-specific, and the diagnosis is often delayed. NTM isolation from biological specimens can be difficult due to variable growth time and requirements. Molecular identification of NTM isolates is not always performed and many mycobacterioses remains uncharacterized. The treatment of mycobacterioses is also complex and limited by the need for multidrug and long-term regimens, often not well tolerated. Optimal dosing of recognized anti-mycobacterial drugs is unknown and guidelines for the drugs of choice and treatment duration are often based on few clinical cases. All the above important aspects – i.e. virulence factors, resistance profile, and response to treatment - need to be adequately addressed. At the same time, it is necessary to consider the changing epizootiological and epidemiological situations. New sources of NTM can be found in new or non-traditional feeds, contaminated water, non-traditional types of bedding, and feeding supplements (e.g. untreated natural peat) for animals. Breeding of non-traditional farm animals or pets or the operation of rescue stations for injured wild animals can also pose a risk. For these reasons, it is necessary to take a comprehensive approach to both current and emerging sources of NTM infection.
We encourage researchers to publish their experimental and observational studies, as well as systemic reviews focusing on but not limited to the pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and epidemiology of:
- Mycobacterial infections in animals caused by MAC members (e.g. Johne’s disease in ruminants, localized and disseminated diseases in farm, companion and wild animals, etc….).
- Mycobacterial infections in animals due to non-MAC NTM, including M. abscessus, M. kansasii, M. simiae, M. terrae, M. fortuitum Group and mycobacteria producing mycolactone (esp. M. ulcerans and M. marinum), M. malmoense, M. szulgai, M. xenopi, and other NTM species belonging to the Risk Group 2 according to European Union Directive 2000/54/EC.
- Mycobacterial infections in humans due to NTM. All types of articles are welcome, although original research, review, mini review, clinical trial, case report and observational studies are preferred.

Keywords: Nontuberculous mycobacteria, Mycobacterium avium complex, diseases, infections, animals, humans

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