Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) Infection

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a large group of bacteria related to the germ that causes tuberculosis, but they do not spread from person to person the way TB does. The CDC explains that NTM are found in soil, dust, and water, including municipal water systems, shower heads, sink faucets, hot tubs, and ice machines.

Most people exposed never get sick. The CDC says people with underlying lung disease such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, or emphysema, and people with weakened immune systems, are at higher risk of NTM infection. Infections include chronic lung disease, skin and soft tissue infections after surgery, injections, or trauma, infections tied to medical devices, and lymph node infections in children. NTM infections are slow-growing, hard to diagnose, and can take many months of multiple antibiotics to treat.

NTM infections come up in lawsuits mainly as healthcare-associated infections:

• Heater-cooler devices. These machines regulate patient temperature during open-heart surgery. The FDA has monitored reports of NTM infections, including Mycobacterium chimaera, associated with water-based heater-cooler units, and patients have filed lawsuits.
• Cosmetic procedures, including surgery abroad and procedures at clinics with poor sterilization, which can cause wound infections.
• Tattoo and nail salons using contaminated water or ink.

A claim generally requires lab confirmation of the organism and records tying the infection to a specific procedure or device. See the Olympus scope infection lawsuit for another contaminated device case, and class action vs. mass tort. This page is general information, not medical advice.