The group of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) comprises a large number of pathogens. These are related to the pathogen that causes tuberculosis(Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The germs can be detected everywhere in the environment, e.g. in water or soil, some even in the oral cavity of healthy people. In contrast to tuberculosis, however, they are only pathogenic under certain conditions. However, in immunocompromised people or people with chronic lung diseases, these pathogens can sometimes lead to diseases similar to tuberculosis. These patients are not infectious to others and therefore do not need to be isolated. Treatment is nevertheless very lengthy and consists of a combination of several antibiotics, which often have to be taken for years.