Epidemiology of human pulmonary infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria in southeast China: A prospective surveillance study

Abstract

Background: China is facing a great challenge of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections. This primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of NTM isolates among patients with presumptive TB in Fujian. Methods: The mycobacterial isolates were collected from the tuberculosis survey from Fujian Province conducted between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. Results: From July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011, 1425 isolates were included in the final analysis, of which 60 (4.2%) were identified as NTM species. M. intracellulare was the most frequently isolated NTM in Fujian, accounting for 68.3% of all NTM isolates. Compared with patients aged <45 years, patients aged 45–59 were more likely to have NTM infections. The education level of patients had an impact on the distribution of NTM infections. Illiterate patients had significantly higher odds of having NTM compared to literate patients. Patients with a previous TB episode had higher NTM risk as compared to those without previous TB episodes. Conclusion: In conclusion, the predominant NTM is M. intracellulare among patients with presumptive TB in Fujian. In addition, elderly patients, those with a previous TB episode and illiterate patients have higher NTM risk.