Mycobacterial infections
Red flags
Consider urgent referral for patients with the following:
- Active TB bacilli in sputum (this is a public health risk)
- Significant SOB
- Abnormal CXR (new changes)
- Pleural effusion
- Cavitation on CXR
- Immunosupression (drug related or due to other disease (HIV)
- Spreading ulcer
Features that may lead to more urgent categorisation
- All new cases of infections involving mycobacteria will be category 1
The common mycobacterial infections are caused by:
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Mycobacterium avium intracellularae
There are also atypical mycobacterial infections which are involved in ulcerating skin infections and occasionally in pulmonary infections.
- M. fortitum
- M. chelonae
- M. abscessus
- M. marinum
- M. ulcerans
- Rare organisms include
- Mycobacterim leprae
- Mycobacterium bovis
Other important information for referring practitioners
Lifestyle changes
- Adopt healthy lifestyle, good nutrition
- Encourage smoking cessation
Medical management
- All cases of TB should be managed by a specialist as it is essential that treatment regimens are adhered to. This is to prevent the development of resistance.
- Treat any associated conditions leading to immunosuppression
- Monitor side effects and interactions of any anti tuberculous medication
- Drugs used to treat mycobacterial infections are:
- Classical TB (pulmonary or extrapulmonary)
- Rifampicin
- Isoniazid
- Pyrazimamide
- Ethambutol
- Moxifloxacin
- Atypical
- Clarithromycin
- Rifampicin
- Ethambutol
- Cefoxitin
- Classical TB (pulmonary or extrapulmonary)
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Health pathways
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