In the September 2025 issue of Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, a new three-part collaborative series, “Laboratory Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria,” was published with Wadsworth Center’s Dr. Kimberlee Musser as a coauthor.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized as significant pathogens responsible for lung and other infections, particularly among individuals with underlying lung disease or weakened immune systems. NTM are frequently associated with nosocomial outbreaks, often traced to contaminated water sources.
NTM infections are on the rise globally, presenting major public health challenges due to three factors:
- Potential severity of illness
- Complexity of diagnosis and treatment
- Rising antibiotic resistance
The three-part series provides a comprehensive update for clinical and environmental laboratories, covering both patient diagnostics and environmental testing – particularly for water sources – commonly requested by clinical providers.
This resource offers current best practices for diagnosing and managing NTM infections and supports public health laboratories in responding to this growing clinical and environmental concern.