Abstract
BackgroundNontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacterium that may cause and/or compound respiratory diseases in humans. There are over a hundred NTM species with varying pathogenicity’s Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the populations at risk for each species.MethodsDemographic (age, sex, and state of residence) and microbiological data from 2014 were extracted from Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio disease surveillance systems. NTM species with > 50 reports were included in the analysis. Patient sex, age, and incidence rates were generated for each of the following NTM species: M. abscessus, M. avium complex (MAC), M. chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. kansasii, M. mucogenicum, and M. peregrinum.ResultsAnalysis by sex showed that M. chelonae,M. fortuitum, M. gordonae,and M. kansasii had significantly higher rates in males than females. Age was not associated with patient rates for several specific NTM species e.g., M. chelonae. Mississippi had the highest patient’ rates for M. avium, M. gordonae, M. kansasii, and M. chelonae. Ohio had the highest patient’ rates for M. abscessus, M. mucogenicum, and M. peregrinum. The highest patient’s rate for M. fortuitum was observed in Missouri.ConclusionThis study showed that NTM infection occurred more frequently in males. The highest rates were observed in Mississippi for most of the NTMs studied. Age was not a strong risk factor for some of the NTM species.
Highlights
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacterium that may cause and/or compound respiratory diseases in humans
The goal of this study was to identify human susceptibility patterns associated with demographic data sex, age, and location for eight commonly isolated NTM species, M. abscessus, M. avium complex (MAC), M. chelonae, M. fortuitum, M. gordonae, M. kansasii, M. mucogenicum, and M. peregrinum
The NTM species/complex most frequently isolated from human specimens were MAC (n = 1312), M. gordonae (n = 498), M. fortuitum (n = 188), M. chelonae (n = 100), M. mucogenicum (n = 87), M. kansasii (n = 85), M. abscessus (n = 77) and M. peregrinum (n = 58)
Summary
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacterium that may cause and/or compound respiratory diseases in humans. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous environmental bacteria present in soils and water. Nontuberculous mycobacteria are opportunistic pathogens that can cause a wide range of noncommunicable skin and soft tissue infections as well as respiratory diseases. The high-risk population for NTM infections includes individuals with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) [1], bronchiectasis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [2], and weakened immune system. In the U.S, over the past two decades, numerous reports demonstrate that prevalence rates for NTM infections are increasing [4,5,6,7]. Despite NTM infections being unfamiliar to the at-large public, possible factors contributing to the apparent increase are the aging U.S
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
