Evaluation Of The Lung Microbiome In NTM Bronchiectasis

Inclusion criteria

• History of pulmonary symptoms: cough, fatigue, malaise, fever, weight loss, dyspnea, hemoptysis, or chest discomfort
• Imaging abnormalities (within 2 years): defined as nodular or cavitary opacities on chest radiograph, or a computed tomography scan that shows bronchiectasis or bronchial wall thickening with associated multiple small nodules.

Definition of NTM case:

• Subjects that meet inclusion criteria and have culture positivity for NTM: at least two separate expectorated induced sputum samples or from one bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or lung biopsy

Definition of NTM control:

• Subjects that meet inclusion criteria and have less than two separate expectorated induced sputum samples culture negative or culture negative bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or lung biopsy.

Exclusion criteria

for cohort study (Aim 1-2):

• Recent (<1 months prior) oral antibiotic or steroid use. (Continuous treatment with macrolides and inhaled steroids are acceptable >1 month prior)
• Recent smoking history

Exclusion criteria

for bronchoscopic study (Aims 3-4):

• Forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) < 70%of predicted.
• Significant cardiovascular disease defined as abnormal EKG, known or suspected coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure.
• Diabetes mellitus
• Significant liver or renal disease
• Severe coagulopathy (INR > 1.4, Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) > 40 seconds and platelet count < 150x103 cells).
• Pregnancy
• Ethanol (ETOH) use of more than >6 beers or >4 mixed drinks daily
• Lack of capacity to provide informed consent.