Incidence trends of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary infections in Australia, Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, and the United States

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental organisms increasingly causing chronic respiratory infection. Although NTM pulmonary infection is rising globally, most studies are single-country. This study evaluated temporal trends in pulmonary NTM incidence across Queensland (Australia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Japan, Thailand, and the United States (US), and described regional species distribution. METHODS: Laboratory and insurance claims data were used. Incident infections were defined using region-specific criteria. For Queensland, Japan, and Thailand, data and denominators covered entire regions. US estimates included Medicare beneficiaries aged [≥]65 years, and Cambod