Tall, thin women more susceptible to Mycobacterial disease

Researchers at National Jewish Health have revealed that tall, thin women face a greater risk of infection with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), cousins of the organism that causes tuberculosis.

Women with NTM infections also showed a weakened immune response associated with their fat cells, they have found in a new study.

"Nontuberculous mycobacteria are widespread in the environment, yet only some people develop infections. These findings help us identify who is at greater risk for the disease, and may point to more effective therapies down the road," said Edward Chan, MD, senior author and professor of medicine at National Jewish Health.

There are dozens of NTM species. Although the organisms can infect skin and other body parts, they most commonly infect the lungs. Lung infections are very difficult to treat, often requiring surgery and years of therapy with powerful intravenous antibiotics. NTM infections can be fatal. Evidence suggests that infections have been rising in recent decades.

NTM species are widespread in water and soil, yet only about five to six people per 100,000 develop NTM infections each year; the incidence is higher in individuals older than 50.

Researchers at National Jewish Health, which sees more NTM infections than any other medical center in the world, tried to figure out why only some exposed patients develop these difficult infections.

Elderly women represent the vast majority of NTM patients, accounting for 85 percent of the patients seen at National Jewish Health during the study, and averaging about 64 years of age. The researchers chose to compare the NTM patients with control subjects at an osteoporosis clinic because these individuals were similar age, race, and gender as the NTM patients.

When compared to the women visiting the osteoporosis clinic, the NTM patients were on average almost two inches taller, had body mass indices almost two points lower and 5.7 pounds less fat on their bodies. The NTM patients also more frequently had concave chests, a condition known as pectus excavatum, and scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

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