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Why can nontuberculous mycobacterial infections be especially dangerous for people with AIDS?

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Tuberculosis — tuberculosis A doctor examining chest X-rays of patients infected with tuberculosis, which remains one of the world's deadliest diseases.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (also known as atypical mycobacteria or MOTT) are particularly dangerous for individuals with AIDS because these pathogens exploit the severe compromise of the immune system caused by HIV infection.12

While these bacteria are present in the environment and generally do not cause illness in healthy individuals, they become opportunistic pathogens in those with weakened immune defenses. In AIDS patients, these mycobacteria can cause serious, systemic infections affecting the lungs, lymph nodes, and other vital organs. Because the immune system of an AIDS patient is unable to effectively mount a defense against these invading pathogens, these infections often become common and severe complications of the disease. Treatment is frequently attempted with various medications, but the overall prognosis for patients is typically poor due to their compromised health status.1