All the statements about nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), are TRUE, EXCEPT:
NTM are ubiquitous in soil and water
No human-to-human transmission of NTM
Disseminated disease denotes significant immune dysfunction
Pulmonary disease, is usually associated with systemic immunodeficiency.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) survives in soil and water. Most NTM cause disease in humans only rarely. There is no human-to-human transmission of NTM. Disseminated disease denotes immune dysfunction eg:advanced HIV infection. Pulmonary disease is highly associated with pulmonary epithelial defects but not with systemic immunodeficiency. Ref: Harrison, Edition-18, Page-1367.