TY - JOUR T1 - Tropical Australia is a potential reservoir of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in cystic fibrosis JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J DO - 10.1183/13993003.00046-2017 VL - 49 IS - 5 SP - 1700046 AU - Laura J. Sherrard AU - George T. Tay AU - Claire A. Butler AU - Michelle E. Wood AU - Stephanie Yerkovich AU - Kay A. Ramsay AU - David W. Reid AU - Vanessa L. Moore AU - Timothy J. Kidd AU - Scott C. Bell Y1 - 2017/05/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/49/5/1700046.abstract N2 - Improved survival rates and increased treatment intensity of people with cystic fibrosis have been accompanied by a rising incidence of multi-antibiotic resistant and difficult-to-treat respiratory pathogens, including non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) [1]. NTM epidemiology in cystic fibrosis varies globally, with a prevalence of >20% in some geographical locations [2]. In particular, there are concerns that active NTM disease from rapidly growing mycobacteria (Mycobacterium abscessus complex) may be increasing and causing accelerated pulmonary decline [3, 4]. NTM are found naturally in ecological niches such as soil and water, and susceptible individuals may also acquire infection from potable water in their homes [5, 6]. Recent reports demonstrate person-to-person transmission [7, 8], which might occur via fomites and cough aerosols [8] and further emphasise the potential clinical importance of these organisms.Living in tropical Australia is associated with NTM acquisition, whilst long-term azithromycin is protective in CF http://ow.ly/FrJi309W8DK ER -