This question was recently asked at a BNTM Coffee Social.

Christina: Katie is correct on that. I believe if the statistic is if you have had NTM before, you are almost 50% more likely to develop the infection again.* This doesn’t mean that you might get the same strain again. It could mean that you are also more susceptible to other types of NTM as well.

John: This is because your bronchiectasis creates a perfect environment for NTM to breed. There is ongoing research linking certain genetic mutations to one’s inability to process NTM. Those who have this mutation can look forward to reinfection.

*Reference: Wallace RJ Jr, Brown-Elliott BA, McNulty S, et al. Macrolide/Azalide therapy for nodular/bronchiectatic mycobacterium avium complex lung disease. Chest. 2014;146(2):276-282. doi:10.1378/chest.13-2538