Lung Manifestations in an Autopsy-Based Series of Pulmonary or Disseminated Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease

Nontuberculous mycobacteria can cause progressive, fatal disease. Primary pulmonary disease is bronchocentric and lacks extrathoracic infection consistent with impaired airway surface defenses. In contrast, fatal disseminated infections involving the lung have hematogenous spread, extensive extrathoracic disease, and a distinct pulmonary histopathology consistent with systemic immune dysfunction.