Post by Elizabeth Tabitha Abbew (MBChB, MWACP, MGCPS, MSc, MPH, PhD)

Today, with a mix of excitement and quiet reflection, I am pleased to share that our study on the prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolates and pulmonary disease among individuals investigated for presumed tuberculosis has been published in the prestigious BMC Infectious Disease (https://lnkd.in/e-gac2Yt) This multi-country study, conducted across Ghana, Niger, and Nigeria, draws on three prospective cohort studies. It highlights an often under-recognised but a challenge in TB-endemic settings: the presence of NTM infection and disease in patients initially presumed to have TB. This work is more than just a publication, it represents years of learning, collaboration, and persistence. It reflects a shared effort across countries and institutions to improve diagnostic clarity and patient care in high TB-burden settings. It also reinforces an important message: not all that looks like TB is TB, and misclassification has real consequences for patients and health systems. However, there are more questions yet to be answered, which the team is committed to doing. I am deeply grateful to our institutional and programmatic partners, the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM), Damien Foundation, NTLPB Nigeria, National TB Programme, Ghana, Cape Coast teaching Hospital, Ghana, whose support and collaboration made this work possible. Completing this PhD is both a milestone and a moment of reflection. It is a reminder of how far we have come, but also of the work that still lies ahead to strengthen NTM diagnostics in SSA and ensure patients receive the right diagnosis and treatment. On to the next chapter. #NTM #Tuberculosis #GlobalHealth #InfectiousDiseases #WestAfrica #ResearchCollaboration Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp Damien Foundation Ghana National TB Control Program, NTB Reference Laboratory, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Cape Coast Teaching Hospital Lut Lynen Leen Rigouts Natalie Lorent Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah TOM Decroo Bassirou Souleymane ISIYAKU AHMADU Rita Patricia Frimpong-Amenyo Bernard Ziem Felix Sorvor