Best Climate for Bronchiectasis

A recent presentation made a connection with climate change, my recollection is that the speaker was hypothesizing that with dryer climates, more soil is airborne, and entering our water systems. I have been meaning to rewatch the presentation as it was dense and I didn’t totally follow it as the speaker talked quickly. Such a theory may help explain increasing numbers in California, but not the South Atlantic states that seem to be the hottest of hot spots. They seem to have more water than they can handle. But maybe it is still the “mix” of the two, soul and water, that is driving up rates. I have no idea.

I am very curious as to whether the prevalence of NTM is some areas is also linked to the knowledge and expertise of doctors in recognizing and diagnosing it.

In other words, "if you look for it, you will find it." For example, although dry, dusty conditions and soil types in New Mexico would seem right for pockets of infection, little is diagnosed, but much of the state has limited access to medical care, so is it there and we don't know it? On the other hand, I know two people recently diagnosed who are totally asymptomatic - tests were done for something else and revealed NTM.

So until there is a simple, universally available test for NTM, do we really know it's prevalence?

I completely agree Sue. My sisters live in New Mexico and generally speaking it is a very rural state with low income and access issues. For all I know, I got my NTM buggers there, as I visit each year and we do lots of hiking in that dessert dust.