New Drugs and Novel Strategies against Nontuberculous Mycobacteria 2.0

Dear Colleagues,

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic pathogens, causing pulmonary diseases largely in immunocompromised patients or patients with pre-existing lung conditions, such as bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis (CF). The NTM incidence (3.3 to 22.6%) is growing in particular among CF patients worldwide. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC) are the most commonly identified NTM species in CF individuals. Among NTM species, Mycobacterium abscessus is becoming the most rapidly emerging pathogen in CF centers around the world.

NTM lung disease treatment is challenging due to the long and often unsuccessful therapy. In FC patients, MABSC infection accelerates lung function decline more than other bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. CF patients with MABSC are more likely to require transplant or to die despite drug treatment. M. abscessus eradication is further complicated by the spread of drug-resistant strains. Consequently, the discovery of new drugs is vital for CF patients’ life. Increasing research and drug discovery efforts are mandatory to have significant therapeutic advances for NTM diseases.

With this issue, we would like to invite possible contributors that study new drugs and novel strategies against these emerging pathogens to write a research article or review.

Prof. Dr. Maria Rosalia Pasca
Dr. Laurent Chiarelli
Dr. Giulia Degiacomi
Dr. Vadim Makarov
Guest Editors

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