Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacterium

Bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) pulmonary infections are chronic conditions. Bronchiectasis is dilation of airways due to an inflammatory process (current or previous), immunologic dysfunction, or a genetic disorder, and is often complicated by chronic or recurrent infections. Often, patients with NTM pulmonary infections have underlying bronchiectasis. The focus of our program is to provide holistic care for persons with either or both of these conditions. To accomplish this, our team consists of physicians in Pulmonary Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Radiology, Microbiology, as well as providers in physical therapy, respiratory therapy, and pharmacy. Services we provide include consultation for diagnosis and evaluation of bronchiectasis and pulmonary NTM infections, complex disease management, airway clearance, aerosol therapies, multidisciplinary case review, and clinical and translational research programs.

What is Bronchiectasis? 

Bronchiectasis is diagnosed when the small airways in the lung are enlarged. This can be due to many causes which will be evaluated by your doctor, but sometimes cannot be identified. When the enlargement occurs, it is difficult for the lungs to clear naturally producing mucus. As a result, mucus will accumulate and can get impacted over time. Bacteria can accumulate in these sites and cause recurrent infections. The central component of therapy is airway clearance and recurrent evaluation of potential bacteria in the lung.

What are Nontuberculous Mycobacterium Pulmonary Infections?

Nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) are environmental bacteria. Only a small fraction of NTM that have been identified cause human diseases, most often pulmonary disease. Even more, not all people with a diagnosis of NTM pulmonary disease need to be treated. This decision is based on symptoms, findings on imaging, the type of organism, and most importantly, the individual’s preference after informed discussion. Treatment regimens include airway clearance and multiple antibiotics over an extended period (greater than one year).

New Patient Referral

Please submit new referrals with attention for bronchiectasis and pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterium evaluation.
Feel free to contact our clinic for any questions at (415) 353-2961
To provide a thorough evaluation and avoid repeat testing when feasible, we require chest imaging, pulmonary function tests, and microbiologic data to be sent with referrals.

Resources for Patients

Consultation and Collaboration with: 

UCSF Clinics and Sites of Interest:

Our Team

 B. Shoshana Zha, MD/PhD
B. Shoshana Zha, MD/PhD
Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Medicine
Director of Bronchiectasis/Pulmonary NTM Program

Mary Ellen Kleinhenz, MD
Mary Ellen Kleinhenz, MD
Professor, Pulmonary Medicine
Co-Director of Bronchiectasis/Pulmonary NTM Program, Director Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program

Brett Elicker, MD
Brett Elicker, MD
Professor, Radiology
Chief of Cardiac & Pulmonary Imaging

Steve Miller, MD/PhD
Steve Miller, MD/PhD
Professor, Infectious Disease/Microbial Pathogenesis
Director of Clinical Microbiology

 Jeff Tarnow, RCT
Jeff Tarnow, RCT
Respiratory Therapy

 

Sophia Sussman
Sophia Sussman
Clinical Research Coordinator

Kathy Bonacinni, PT, DPT
Kathy Bonacinni, PT, DPT
Physical Therapy

 Gail Cunningham
Gail Cunningham
AFB Microbiologist

 

Monica Fung
Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases

 

Brian Schwartz
Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases

 

 

 

Sarah Doernberg
Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases

 

Catherine DeVoe
Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases

 

Rachel Bystritsky
Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases