Inventory study of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in the European Union

Marieke J Van Der Werf,Elvira Richter,Manca Žolnir-Dovč,Monique Perrin,Hanna Soini,Tiina Kummik,Dick Van Soolingen,Dimitrios Papaventsis,Vera Katalinić-Janković,Csaba Ködmön,Vibeke Østergaard Thomsen,Enrico Tortoli

doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-62

Abstract

BackgroundSince non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is not notifiable in most European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, the epidemiological situation of the >150 NTM species is largely unknown. We aimed to collect data on the frequency of NTM detection and NTM species types in EU/EEA countries.MethodsOfficially nominated national tuberculosis reference laboratories of all EU/EEA countries were asked to provide information on: laboratory routines for detection and identification of NTM, including drug sensitivity testing (DST) methods; data on the number and type of NTM species identified; coverage and completeness of the provided data on NTM; type and number of human specimens tested for NTM; and number of specimens tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and NTM. This information was summarized and the main results are described.ResultsIn total, 99 different NTM species were identified with M. avium, M. gordonae, M. xenopi , M. intracellulare, and M. fortuitum identified most frequently. Seven percent of the NTM species could not be identified. NTM was cultured from between 0.4-2.0% of the specimens (data from four countries). The laboratories use culturing methods optimised for M. tuberculosis complex. Identification is mainly carried out by a commercial line probe assay supplemented with sequencing. Most laboratories carried out DST for rapid growers and only at the explicit clinical request for slow growers.ConclusionIt is likely that the prevalence of NTM is underestimated because diagnostic procedures are not optimized specifically for NTM and isolates may not be referred to the national reference laboratory for identification. Due to the diagnostic challenges and the need to establish the clinical relevance of NTM, we recommend that countries should concentrate detection and identification in only few laboratories.

Highlights

Since non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is not notifiable in most European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, the epidemiological situation of the >150 NTM species is largely unknown
In total, 99 different NTM species were identified with M. avium, M. gordonae, M. xenopi, M. intracellulare, and M. fortuitum identified most frequently
It is likely that the prevalence of NTM is underestimated because diagnostic procedures are not optimized for NTM and isolates may not be referred to the national reference laboratory for identification

Summary

Introduction

Since non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease is not notifiable in most European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, the epidemiological situation of the >150 NTM species is largely unknown. We aimed to collect data on the frequency of NTM detection and NTM species types in EU/EEA countries. More than 150 non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species have been described [1,2,3]. The clinical significance of detected NTM in non-sterile specimens needs to be evaluated for the individual patient, which is usually done according to the guidelines from the American Thoracic Society (ATS) [5]. Outbreaks caused by exposure to the same reservoir have been described [8]. It is generally accepted that a wide range of animal and environmental sources (swimming pools, aquaria) are reservoirs for NTM.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion