Vaccine against MAC?

I don't think that the 7% saline is used to kill MAC, but rather to help with the bronchiectasis (https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/54/1/1802143.short).

@bolso1 It's good for both bronchiectasis and MAC. Please see table 2 in this paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4850692/

@bolso1 The thing with BCG and TB is ( and I’m sure you know this) is that it is used in third world countries especially China and is a live virus unlike in the US. It can cause positive TB skin tests which it does in two of my six Chinese children. They were given Isoniazid for nine months to confirm no active disease even though their lungs were clear. You are probably correct about the saline and bronchiectasis only as MAC loves water. That is something I have questions about. At this point I just want something to cure us all! irene5

Thank you! The BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) is a live (although weakened) bacteria, not virus, though.

Bolso, Excellent article. I understand it to say Hypertonic saline may not kill the NTM but certainly keep it under control which is a wonderful thing for patients who can not tolerate the antibiotics. But only good in certain situations.
To quote the authors "Since hypertonic saline (HS) inhalation is safe and has shown a clinical effect in bronchiectasis patients we have included HS inhalation in our local NTM treatment protocol. In clinical practice, we advise patients with nodular-bronchiectatic disease to start with HS inhalation two times daily as the only therapy for the first 3 months. When patients tolerate HS and when there are no clinical signs of disease deterioration, we continue HS as the only treatment with close observation of possible disease progression"
I have been using 7% saline for about a year now with excellent results. It is a part of my daily airway clearance. A big thanks to all the members here who have promoted this therapy.
I believe that while the NTM/MAC is being kept under control by the HS, the body's immune system may kick in and actually kill the bacteria, a good reason to have a healthy lifestyle. Just my opinion, I can not cite any studies.

Well people, here's our hope for the future! Science is finally beginning to acknowledge the water-borne aspect of MAC/NTM/Pseudomonas and other organisms. https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/16/health/waterborne-diseases-cdc-study-wellness/index.html
With this attention, we could be on our way to recognition of these bio-film supported bacteria, and perhaps a way to break down the biofilm so they can be easily washed away, and not lurk everywhere. Airborne transmission through dust we can more easily manage on our own with masks, filters, etc.
Sue

@sueinmn that is an excellent article. “And then came the dawn with a clap of thunder and a bolt of lightning!” Tis about time! Thank you. irene5

Haven’t heard of any but would be a help

Thank you for your posting @sueinmn.
It is indeed perplexing that biofilms have not received the attention that they deserve, considering that it is estimated (Lazar, V. 2011. Quorum sensing in biofilms - How to destroy the bacterial citadels or their cohesion/power? Anaerobe 17 280-285) that they are involved in around 60% of all infections and characterized by moderate intensity symptoms, chronic evolution and resistance to antibiotics.
Mainstream medicine follows mostly a brute force approach to infection management: if it's difficult then double or triple the dose and apply for longer! Fortunately, there are other approached being developed such as bacteriophages and enzymes, that could - hopefully - in the near future compliment antibiotics.

Most perplexing to me is that no one has engineered a replacement for the boiler/water/riser systems almost universally used in taller buildings (apartments & dorms, offices & hotels, hospitals) and ships. These have been proven wells of infection - usually listeria (Legionaires') is the first identified culprit, with MRSA and Pseudomonas aur in hospitals as well. After Covid, as places that sat vacant for a year or more come back on line, growing biofilm and bacteria in their systems, are we going to be in for a mini-epidemic of these infections?
Sue