Immune suppressive states including cancer, primary and secondary immunodeficiencies, the latter commonly including Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and profound immune suppressive treatments such as cancer chemotherapy, anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy, and immunosuppressive treatment post solid organ transplant all lead to a significantly increased risk of NTM infection and therefore disease17. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is AIDS.