Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Disease

NTM disease is an infection caused by mycobacteria other than Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily causes chronic progressive and difficult-to-treat respiratory infections, particularly in older women or patients with pre-existing lung diseases. Our research has revealed that in Japan: (1) the incidence of pulmonary NTM disease sharply increased to approximately 2.6 times from 2008 to 2014; (2) it has surpassed the incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis; and (3) pulmonary Mycobacterium avium/intracellulare (MAI) infection accounts for about 90% of pulmonary NTM cases, making it a significant public health concern (Namkoong, Emerg Infect Dis, 2016).

In addition to providing world-standard care and treatment for NTM disease following the guidelines of Japan and Western countries, we actively implement aggressive treatment strategies, including the introduction of amikacin liposome inhalation suspension for difficult cases. Our team at the Clinical Infectious Diseases Center provides consultations at the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic and the Respiratory Infectious Diseases Specialized Clinic. We closely collaborate with the Respiratory Medicine Department, the Nursing Department, the Pharmacy Department, the Clinical Laboratory Department, and the administrative department to advance team-based medical care.

Furthermore, we are actively involved in numerous studies on NTM disease, including the development of new treatments with patient cooperation, such as clinical trials.

In recent years, attention has been drawn to cases of disseminated NTM disease, where infection spreads throughout the body despite the absence of clear immunodeficiency. In these cases, the presence of anti-IFNγ neutralizing autoantibodies has been noted. We are also actively treating disseminated NTM disease in collaboration with other universities.

Operation of NPO NTM-JRC

Despite the increasing number of cases of "nontuberculous mycobacterial (pulmonary NTM) disease," there is still a lack of information available to patients and their families.

Our research group has collaborated with domestic institutions to establish and operate the NPO NTM-JRC, which holds annual public lectures to provide patients and their families with information about the characteristics and treatments of NTM disease. These public lectures also provide useful information to physicians and healthcare professionals.

Operation of NPO NTM-JRC

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