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Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections

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Emerging Ocular Infections

Part of the book series: Essentials in Ophthalmology ((ESSENTIALS))

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Abstract

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) encompass a broad spectrum of organisms consisting of over 190 species. These organisms typically cause disease through environmental exposure, most commonly following trauma or procedures. The ocular manifestations of NTM are manifold, but due to the propensity of these organisms to form biofilms, the most notable manifestation has been multifocal chorioretinitis following cardiopulmonary bypass using heater-cooler units contaminated by M. chimaera. Treatment depends on the type of organism and its rate of growth. While some slow-growing NTM are susceptible to the four-drug therapeutic regimen used for tuberculosis (TB) treatment, the length of therapy is significantly longer than for TB. Some subtypes of NTM may be resistant to tuberculous therapy. The hardy nature of NTM may also create challenges in finding antibiotic regimens that can adequately penetrate the biofilms formed by these organisms.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, USA

    Andrew Zheng

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Cyndee Miranda

  3. Department of Ophthalmology - Medical Retina and Uveitis, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA

    Arthi Venkat

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  1. Andrew Zheng
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  2. Cyndee Miranda
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  3. Arthi Venkat
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Correspondence to Arthi Venkat .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology - Uveitis, Cleveland Clinic - Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Careen Y. Lowder

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, USA

    Nabin Shrestha

  3. Department of Ophthalmology - Medical Retina and Uveitis, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

    Arthi Venkat

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Zheng, A., Miranda, C., Venkat, A. (2023). Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections. In: Lowder, C.Y., Shrestha, N., Venkat, A. (eds) Emerging Ocular Infections. Essentials in Ophthalmology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24559-6_2

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