Infectious diseases caused by"nontuberculous mycobacteria", non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), which have become increasingly important in recent years. The terms "atypical mycobacteria, or "mycobacteria other than tuberculosis" (MOTT) are outdated, as the bacteria in this group are by no means "atypical".
The term "atypical mycobacterioses" was most often understood to be synonymous with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections. Although MAC is by far the most common pathogen, there are a large number of other atypical mycobacteria that cause similar clinical pictures. In this respect, the term "atypical mycobacteriosis" should also be abandoned for this disease complex. In addition to several human pathogenic species, there are many species that occur in the environment.
For further information see below. NTM