Atypical TB Disease

Atypical tuberculosis is a disease that is caused by one of several different relatives of the bacterium that causes TB (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). They are in the Mycobacterium genus and are generally referred to as non-tuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM).

Causes

• Atypical tuberculosis occurs when an NTM colonizes within the body of its host. Sometimes, infection occurs because a resistant strain of NTM overtakes other flora in the body after a course of antibiotics. It is considered to be non-contagious between humans.

Symptoms

• Atypical TB symptoms are nearly identical to typical tuberculosis. These include a hacking, wheezing cough, night sweats, fever, loss of appetite and a general lack of energy. It can advance over time to fully infect the lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or collapse.

Diagnosis

• NTM is diagnosed much in the same manner as tuberculosis, with chest imaging and examination of lung sputum for evidence of bacterial infection. The physician should take care to assure the infection is atypical TB and not simply TB itself, and this is done via microscopic analysis.

Treatment

• NTM tend to be very hardy organisms and are resistant to some common antibiotics. Treatment is a course of antibiotics that could stretch to over a year in length to ensure there is no recurrence.

Prognosis

• If the entire course of antibiotic regimen is followed, recurrence isn't common. Statistics are lacking, however, because atypical TB is non-contagious and reporting to public health agencies is not required.