Nontubercular mycobacterial cough

Habitual cough suppression leading to non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections and bronchiectasis has been reported. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman with a chronic history of cough with mild expectoration and frequent lower respiratory tract infections, remitting with antibiotic therapy and other supportive measures. She also reported habitual cough suppression for several years. She was eventually diagnosed with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) positive right middle lobe bronchiectasis-Lady Windermere syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), causing disabling symptoms limiting her daily activities. We aim to highlight two key issues-diagnosing MAC infections in a tuberculosis endemic country, and OSA and its long-term clinical implications.