Mycobacteria Diseases
Tuberculosis
A specific disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the tubercle bacillus, which can affect almost any tissue or organ of the body, the most common seat of the disease being the lungs. Primary tuberculosis is typically a mild or asymptomatic local pulmonary infection. Regional lymph nodes may become involved, but in otherwise healthy people generalized disease does not immediately develop.
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI)
MAI is a nontuberculous mycobacteria that causes pulmonary infections. MAI usually occurs in subjects with damaged lungs such as those afflicted with pulmonary tuberculosis, COPD, bronchiectasis, and the lungs of heavy smokers.