Sputum proteomics could clearly trace differences in nontuberculous mycobacterial inflammatory profiles between patients with cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis and COPD. In a recent research, published in CHEST, the scientists at the University of Sheffield, University of Dundee, Scotland, among others, used sputum proteomics to identify candidate biomarkers of non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) severity/treatment response. The research findings also suggested that non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection severity is strongly influenced by the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other typical bacterial infections. NTM infections are typically difficult to diagnose and treat. Hence, biomarkers to identify patients with active infection or at risk of disease progression would have significant clinical utility, concluded  the researchers, who assessed more than 600 sputum proteins and found that underlying disease and infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the main determinants in NTM sputum protein profiles.