Safety and Efficacy of Clofazimine as an Alternative for Rifampicin in Mycobacterium avium Complex Pulmonary Disease Treatment: Outcomes of a Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

Results of retrospective studies have suggested clofazimine as an alternative for rifampicin in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD).

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is a treatment regimen consisting of clofazimine-ethambutol-macrolide noninferior to the standard treatment regimen (rifampicin-ethambutol-macrolide) in the treatment of MAC-PD?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In this single-center, nonanonymized clinical trial, adult patients with MAC-PD were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive rifampicin or clofazimine as adjuncts to an ethambutol-macrolide regimen. The primary outcome was sputum culture conversion following 6 months of treatment.

RESULTS

Forty patients were assigned to receive either rifampicin (n = 19) or clofazimine (n = 21) in addition to ethambutol and a macrolide. Following 6 months of treatment, both arms showed similar percentages of sputum culture conversion based on an intention-to-treat analysis: 58% (11 of 19) for rifampicin and 62% (13 of 21) for clofazimine. Study discontinuation, mainly due to adverse events, was equal in both arms (26% vs 33%). Based on an on-treatment analysis, sputum culture conversion following 6 months of treatment was 79% in both groups. In the clofazimine arm, diarrhea was more prevalent (76% vs 37%; P = .012), while arthralgia was more frequent in the rifampicin arm (37% vs 5%; P = .011). No difference in the frequency of corrected QT interval prolongation was seen between groups.

INTERPRETATION

A clofazimine-ethambutol-macrolide regimen showed similar results to the standard rifampicin-ethambutol-macrolide regimen and should be considered in the treatment of MAC-PD. The frequency of adverse events was similar in both arms, but their nature was different. Individual patient characteristics and possible drug-drug interactions should be taken into consideration when choosing an antibiotic regimen for MAC-PD.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

EudraCT; No.: 2015-003786-28; URL: https://eudract.ema.europa.eu.

The First Case Report of Inactive Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease (NTM-PD) in a Pneumoconiosis Patient Caused by Mycobacterium europaeum in China

We reported a 51-year-old male electric welder with stage I pneumoconiosis, who had no significant cough, sputum, fever, chest pain, or other discomfort. However, regular physical examination at our hospital revealed bilateral pulmonary nodules with cavity formation. Blood routine, liver or kidney function, and infection-related biomarkers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT), were normal. Sputum and alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears, BALF Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) PCR, and T-SPOT.TB were negative. The nucleic acid sequence of Mycobacterium europaeum was detected by BALF metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS), which was confirmed by the subsequent positive culture for NTM. Considering stable conditions, no significant discomfort, and no significant changes in the lung lesion, the patient was diagnosed with inactive nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD).

Nationwide Increasing Incidence of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases Among Adults in Denmark: Eighteen Years of Follow-Up

BACKGROUND

The epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections is not well described. In this study, we determine the incidence and prevalence of NTM infections and focus on social risk factors. In addition, we describe people with pulmonary and extrapulmonary NTM.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the incidence and prevalence of NTM, and what are the characteristics of the affected patients?

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This is a nationwide retrospective register-based cohort study in Denmark. Adult patients in the Danish national registers who received a diagnosis of NTM disease from 2000 to 2017 were classified as having either pulmonary or extrapulmonary NTM disease.

RESULTS

We identified 1,146 adults with an NTM diagnosis. Of these, 661 patients had pulmonary NTM, of whom 50.4% were male, whereas 485 had extrapulmonary NTM, of whom 59.6% were male. The median age (interquartile range) was 66 (18) years and 57 (32) years, respectively. The yearly incidence rate per 100,000 increased between 2000 and 2017 for both pulmonary NTM (0.4 to 1.3) and extrapulmonary NTM (0.3 to 0.6). The annual prevalence per 100,000 increased from 0.4 to 3.5 for pulmonary NTM and from 0.3 to 1.0 for extrapulmonary NTM. The incidence rate increased with age. The incidence of pulmonary NTM was highest among those who were 70 years of age or older (19.3 per 100,000). Compared with patients with pulmonary NTM, patients with extrapulmonary NTM were more likely to be employed and had a higher educational level.

INTERPRETATION

The prevalence of NTM disease in Denmark increased between 2000 and 2017. Patients with pulmonary NTM and patients with extrapulmonary NTM represent two distinct groups that differ in age, sex, education, and employment status. Increased suspicion of pulmonary NTM disease is warranted in the elderly after exclusion of more common lung infections.

Clinical Impact of Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Patients with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease and Role of Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis

Objective Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is an important complication of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). However, its diagnosis is challenging, as both CPA and NTM-PD present as chronic cavitary disease. The present study evaluated the impact of CPA on the survival of patients with NTM-PD and revealed the key computed tomography findings for a prompt diagnosis. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients newly diagnosed with NTM-PD in Tenri Hospital (Tenri City, Nara Prefecture, Japan) between January 2009 and March 2018; the patients were followed up until May 2021. Clinical and radiological characteristics were assessed, and patients with CPA were identified. Results A total of 611 patients were diagnosed with NTM-PD. Among them, 38 (6.2%), 102 (17%), and 471 (77%) patients were diagnosed with NTM-PD with CPA, cavitary NTM-PD without CPA, and non-cavitary NTM-PD without CPA, respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the NTM-PD with CPA group (42.8%; 95% confidence interval: 28.7-64.0%) was lower than that of the cavitary NTM-PD without CPA group (74.4%; 95% confidence interval: 65.4-84.6%). A multivariate analysis revealed that fungal balls and cavities with adjacent extrapleural fat were significant predictive factors for NTM-PD with CPA. Conclusion NTM-PD with CPA patients exhibited a worse prognosis than cavitary NTM-PD without CPA patients. Therefore, an unerring diagnosis of CPA is essential for managing patients with NTM-PD. Computed tomography findings, such as fungal balls and cavities with adjacent extrapleural fat, may be valuable diagnostic clues when CPA is suspected in patients with NTM-PD.

Inhaled Corticosteroids and the Risk of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Findings from a Nationwide Population-Based Study

Studies have shown increased nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM) incidence with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) use in patients with chronic respiratory diseases; however, this association in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) remains insufficiently studied. Using a nationwide population-based database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service, newly diagnosed COPD patients (2005-2018) treated with inhaled bronchodilators were selected. An NTM case was defined by the presence of the first diagnostic code following inhaled bronchodilator use. Results indicated that ICS users did not have an increased risk of NTM disease compared to non-ICS users (hazard ratio (HR), 1.121; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.950-1.323; p = 0.176). However, in a subgroup analysis, the highest quartile of the cumulative ICS dose was associated with the development of NTM (1.200, 0.950-1.323, p = 0.050). Medium (1.229, 1.008-1.499, p = 0.041) and high daily doses of ICS (1.637, 1.241-2.160, p < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of NTM disease. There was no difference in the risk of NTM according to ICS type. ICS use may increase the risk of developing NTM disease in patients with COPD. Physicians should weigh the potential benefits and risks of ICS, especially when using high doses and prolonged durations.

A Comparison of Clinical and Radiographic Signs of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease, Destructive Drug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis and a Combination of Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Tuberculosis

A misdiagnosis of isolated pulmonary tuberculosis (pTB) is highly likely when a patient has nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTMPD) or a combination of nontuberculous mycobacterium pulmonary disease and pulmonary tuberculosis. Frequently, bacterial excretion is absent or only Mycobacteria tuberculosis (MBT) is found. This often results in an incorrect diagnosis and subsequent misinformed treatment regimes. In order to determine possible clinical and radiographic differences between patients with NTMPD (Group 1), destructive drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (Group 3) and a combination of NTMPD and pTB (Group 2) we compare clinical and radiographic signs for these three patient groups. When comparing with Group 3 (2.5%), Groups 1 (25%) and 2 (17.4%) have a substantially higher incidence of pulmonary haemorrhages. Thus, upon clinically observing the combination of pTB and NTMPD, there are no pathognomonic clinical and radiographic detected symptoms. However, the presence of an indolent course, hemoptysis and bronchiectasis in the presence of acid-fast bacteria (or identified MBT) in the sputum makes it possible to suspect not simple pTB, but a combination of pTB and NTMPD. To clarify this necessitated in-depth bacteriological examination.

The Diagnosis of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease by Single Bacterial Isolation Plus Anti-GPL-Core IgA Antibody

Although serum anti-glycopeptidolipid (GPL)-core IgA antibody is a highly specific test for infection with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), Mycobacterium abscessus, and its subspecies abscessus, subsp. massiliense, and subsp. bolletii (MAB), its use for the definitive diagnosis of MAC pulmonary disease (PD) and MAB-PD are unknown. To clarify the diagnostic accuracy of the anti-GPL-core IgA antibody test among patients with radiologically suspected MAC-PD or MAB-PD who already have a single positive sputum culture test. The first isolations of MAC and MAB from patients with radiologically suspected MAC-PD or MAB-PD at the Osaka Toneyama Medical Center between January 2006 and December 2020 were collected. Patients were enrolled when their serum anti-GPL-core IgA antibody was measured during the 3 months before and after the first isolation. We retrospectively compared the results of anti-GPL-core IgA antibody testing with the final diagnoses based on the current guidelines. We included 976 patients for analysis. The serum anti-GPL-core IgA antibody was positive in 699 patients (71.6%). The positive predictive value of anti-GPL-core IgA antibody for the diagnosis of MAC-PD or MAB-PD was 97.4%. The median time required for the second positive culture after the first isolation was 51 days (interquartile range 12 to 196 days). The positive serum anti-GPL-core IgA antibody test allowed an early and definitive diagnosis of MAC-PD or MAB-PD in those who already had a single positive sputum culture test.

IMPORTANCE To satisfy the microbiologic criteria of the current diagnostic guideline for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (PD), at least two positive sputum cultures of the same species of mycobacteria from sputum are required to avoid the casual isolation of mycobacteria. This study showed that the positivity of a serum anti-glycopeptidolipid (GPL)-core IgA antibody test has an excellent diagnostic ability among patients with radiologically suspected Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC)-PD or Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB)-PD who already had a single positive sputum culture test. The usage of single culture isolation plus anti-GPL-core IgA antibody as another diagnostic criterion has a time, cost, and effort-saving effect. Furthermore, it will facilitate the diagnosis of MAC-PD or MAB-PD in the early stage of disease because serum anti-GPL-core IgA antibody becomes high in these patients. Therefore, we proposed adding single culture isolation plus anti-GPL-core IgA antibody as “combined microbiological and serological criteria” to the diagnostic guidelines for MAC-PD and MAB-PD.

Pharmacotherapy for nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

DISCLAIMER

In an effort to expedite the publication of articles , AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.

PURPOSE

To provide an updated review of the diagnosis and pharmacotherapy of nontuberculous mycobacteria pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) and summarize guideline recommendations for an interdisciplinary treatment approach.

SUMMARY

A systemic approach was taken in which all articles in English in MEDLINE and PubMed were reviewed. DAILYMED was used to assess drug package inserts. Analysis of NTM treatment guidelines is summarized in the article with a focus on medications, dosing, interactions, and medication monitoring.

CONCLUSION

It is critical to manage patients with NTM with a multidisciplinary team approach. Treatment is prolonged and expensive, and the potential for drug toxicity, adverse effects, and drug interactions requires monitoring. Clinical pharmacists play a role in the management of NTM.

Co-Infection with 4 Species of Mycobacteria Identified by Using Next-Generation Sequencing

We identified co-infection with 4 species of mycobacteria in a woman in New York, New York, USA, by using next-generation sequencing. This procedure is useful for identifying co-infections with multiple mycobacteria, tracing the geographic origin of strains, investigating transmission dynamics in susceptible populations, and gaining insight into prevention and control.

Hospitalization Risk for Medicare Beneficiaries With Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

Background

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is an uncommon mycobacterial infection characterized by worsening lung function and increased health care resource utilization; however, the overall risk for hospitalization among patients with NTM-PD remains unclear.

Research Question

What is the hospitalization risk among older adults with NTM-PD?

Study Design and Methods

A retrospective, nested, case-control study was conducted by using the Medicare claims database. Cases were defined as patients with ≥ 2 NTM-PD claims ≥ 30 days apart between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2015. The study included individuals aged ≥ 65 years with ≥ 12 months of continuous enrollment in both Parts A and B before the first NTM-PD diagnosis. Cases were matched 1:2 to Medicare beneficiaries without NTM-PD (control subjects) according to age and sex. Hospitalizations following the first NTM-PD claim were compared between case and control subjects by using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

A total of 35,444 case subjects and 65,467 matched control subjects (mean age, 76.6 years; 70% female; ≥ 87% White) were identified. Baseline comorbidities, particularly pulmonary comorbidities, were more common in case subjects than in control subjects (81.1% vs 17.7% for COPD; 44.6% vs 0.6% for bronchiectasis). All-cause hospitalization was observed in 65.7% of case subjects and 44.9% of control subjects. Unadjusted annual hospitalization rates were significantly (P < .05) greater among case subjects than control subjects. Case subjects also had a significantly shorter time to hospitalization than control subjects. The increased burden due to hospitalization was reflected in multivariate analysis adjusting for baseline comorbidities. All-cause hospitalization in patients with NTM-PD relative to control subjects was 1.2 times more likely (relative risk, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.21-1.25; P < .0001) with a 46% greater hazard (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.43-1.50; P < .0001).

Interpretation

Patients with NTM-PD were significantly more likely to be hospitalized, had greater annualized hospitalization rates, and had shorter time to hospitalization than age- and sex-matched control subjects without NTM-PD. These findings highlight the significantly increased burden of hospitalizations among patients with NTM-PD.

Effects of pain on depression, sleep, exercise tolerance, and quality of life in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease

The experience and causes of pain in patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) have not been clarified.This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of bodily pain (BP) in patients with NTM-PD. We also investigated the clinical indicators that contribute to pain.We used a retrospective cross-sectional study design. The participants were 114 NTM-PD patients (109 women) with a mean age of 65 years. The prevalence and severity of pain were measured using 2 items from the 36-Item Short Form Survey version 2 (SF-36), and the BP score was calculated. Functional limitation due to dyspnea was quantified using the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC), depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); health-related quality of life was assessed using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (LCQ), and exercise tolerance was measured using the Incremental Shuttle Walk Test (ISWT).Pain was reported by 70.2% of the patients (n = 80), and of these, 35.7% (n = 25) reported moderate to very severe pain. NTM-PD patients with high levels of pain had significantly higher scores on the mMRC, CES-D, and PSQI scores, and significantly lower performance on the ISWT and LCQ. Multiple regression analysis identified ISWT, CES-D, and PSQI as independent factors that affected BP scores.Our findings suggest that pain significantly impacts daily life associated with reduced exercise tolerance, the presence of depressive symptoms, and poor sleep quality in patients with NTM-PD.

Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Mycobacterium abscessus Complex Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND

Mycobacterium abscessus complex pulmonary disease is notoriously difficult to treat by medication alone. We report our experience with resectional surgery combined with pre- and postoperative multidrug chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with Mycobacterium abscessus complex pulmonary disease.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of 33 patients undergoing lung resection for Mycobacterium abscessus complex pulmonary disease at a single center in Japan between January 2008 and December 2019.

RESULTS

The median age of patients was 54.0 (interquartile range, 49.0-66.0) years; 27 were females (81.8%). Nodular-bronchiectatic was the most common disease type (n=24; 72.7%). Disease was limited in 18 (54.5%) patients and extensive in 15 (45.5%). The median duration of preoperative multidrug chemotherapy employing oral and parenteral antibiotics was 10.0 (interquartile range, 3.0-18.0) months. A total of 34 anatomical lung resections were performed as follows: 22 lobectomies, 5 segmentectomies, 4 combined resections, 2 bilobectomies, and 1 pneumonectomy. No operative mortalities and 4 morbidities occurred (13.3%). The median duration of multidrug chemotherapy after the surgery was 18.0 (interquartile range, 12.0-31.0) months. Postoperative sputum-negative status was achieved in 31 patients (93.9%); all 23 patients obtaining preoperative negative conversion remained negative, and 8 of 10 patients with preoperative positive sputum became negative (80.0%) postoperatively. Recurrence was observed in 2 patients (6.5%). The recurrence-free probabilities were 96.3%, 96.3%, and 80.2% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined with pre- and postoperative multidrug chemotherapy, resectional surgery can be performed safely and achieve favorable outcomes for patients with Mycobacterium abscessus complex pulmonary disease.

Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Amikacin for Optimal Pharmacotherapy in Korean Patients with Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease

Amikacin is used as a therapy for patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) who are resistant to macrolide antibiotics or have severe symptoms. This study aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetic properties of amikacin in patients with NTM-PD by developing a population pharmacokinetic model and to explore the optimal pharmacotherapy in patients with NTM-PD. For this study, all data were retrospectively collected. The amikacin pharmacokinetic properties were best described by a two-compartment model with first-order elimination. The estimated glomerular filtration rate and body weight were identified as significant covariates for clearance and the volume of distribution, respectively. A model-based simulation was conducted to explore the probability of reaching the target therapeutic range when various dose regimens were administered according to the body weight and renal function. The simulation results indicated that the amikacin dosage should be determined based on the body weight, and for patients who weigh over 70 kg, it is necessary to adjust the dose according to renal function. In conclusion, the optimal pharmacotherapy of amikacin for patients with NTM-PD was recommended based on the population pharmacokinetic model, which is expected to enable the personalization of drug therapy and improve the clinical outcomes of amikacin therapy.

Early onset of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease contributes to the lethal outcome in lung transplant recipients: report of two cases and review of the literature

Lung transplant (LuTx) recipients represent a population at risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD). Yet the risk factors, the timing of NTM-PD after transplantation, and the association with allograft dysfunction all remain poorly defined. We report 2 cases of early-onset NTM-PD and review the literature, focusing on NTM-PD in LuTx recipients not colonized with NTM prior to transplantation. In addition, we summarize the main characteristics and differences between early- and late-onset disease.