Adult cystic fibrosis presenting with recurrent non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections

Some of this increase is related to the high rate of disseminated M avium complex disease in patients with AIDS; however, there could also have been an increase in the rate of NTM infections in other groups of patients, such as those with CF.2,3 The classic description of NTM pulmonary infection is that of a patient with cavitary infiltrates and underlying lung disease. Among adults with CF, 63% are aged 18-29 years, 25% 30-39 years, 10% 40-49 years, and 2% over 50 years ; adults will represent >40% of the US cystic fibrosis population in 2005.4 Among the 22 301 patients in the 2000 CF Foundation registry, the diagnosis was established after the age of 17 years in only 831 (3.7%); sweat chloride tests were abnormal in 90% of cases.4 Although NTM infections in CF are well described, recurrent NTM infection as the initial presentation of CF has not been described.