Promising start
A pulmonologist who was not involved in the study commented in an interview that, although the findings need further study, the microbiome of sputum samples has the potential for predictive value.
“I think this will be clinically useful, actually, if we’re able to identify and diagnose patients with MAC disease and then we identify their sputum microbiome, it might give us an idea whether these patients are more sensitive or refractory to treatment,” said Muhammad U. Khawar, MD, from the University of Cincinnati.
Dr. Khawar moderated the session where Dr. Kang reported her data.
The investigators did not report a funding source. Dr. Kang and Dr. Khawar reported that they had no relevant disclosures.