Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in children

Key words: Nontuberculous mycobacterial infections, Immunodeficiency, Children

Localized mycobacterial infections of cervical lymph nodes are frequently observed in normal children. These types of infections are sustained by environmental mycobacteria and can be treated by surgical therapy. On the contrary, disseminated mycobacterial infections are usually observed in subjects with primary immunodeficiencies such as chronic granulomatous disease, common variable immunodeficiency or combined immunodeficiencies, or in subjects with mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD). When primary immunodeficiency is suspected, immunological and genetic work-up is needed to drive the therapeutic options and make a prognosis.