Extrapulmonary Comparisons Between Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria: From Manifestations and Diagnosis to Treatment

Abstract

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) diseases and the number of deaths from these diseases are steadily increasing worldwide. However, the pathologic diagnosis of NTM disease is similar to that of tuberculosis, and it is often difficult to distinguish between the two, which can lead to misdiagnosis and treatment aversion. Therefore, differentiation between the two can help in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. This review compares the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of common extrapulmonary sites of involvement in tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacterial disease.