The hallmark of mycobacterial infections is granuloma formation which is readily detectible on a radiographical image.
Granuloma is an organized collection of inflammatory and immune cells primarily composed of infected macrophages, recruited dendritic cells, and activated lymphocytes.
The most common mycobacterial infection is mycobacterium avium that can cause symptoms that are similar to tuberculosis which include fatigue, fever, cough and weight loss.
Mycobacterial infections are complex diseases and even more so in people that are suffering from immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).
Mycobacterial infections can cause tuberculosis, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary infections, other localized NTM or disseminated infections, leprosy, and chronic ulcers (Buruli ulcer).
Someone can develop a nontuberculous mycobacterial infection if you drink contaminated water.
Bacteria can also enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a puncture wound that gets contaminated with water or soil.
Inhaling the bacteria also puts you at risk for infection.
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Symptoms of pulmonary NTM infection are similar to those of tuberculosis and include cough with sputum production, shortness of breath, tiredness or fatigue, fever, unplanned weight loss, lack of appetite, night sweats, and coughing up blood.