Diagnosis of NTM Lung Disease

The clinician must integrate clinical, radiographic, and microbiological data to make a diagnosis of NTM lung disease, but it can be confirmed by 

• At least two positive cultures from sputum. 
• One positive culture in the case of bronchoscopic wash or lavage, or 
• A transbronchial or other lung biopsies with a positive culture for NTM or compatible histopathological features such as granulomatous inflammation or stainable acid-fast bacilli (AFB). 

As a result, symptomatic patients with compatible radiographic findings should meet the microbiological criteria to be diagnosed with NTM lung disease.