Piauí Central Laboratory of Public Health: frequency of mycobacterial species and epidemiological aspects, 2014-2015

Abstract

Background : Knowledge about the diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacterial species and the frequency of tuberculosis is an important issue in rural-urban regions such as Piauí (northeast Brazil), of low TB incidence rate, which may help to improve diagnostic and prevention strategies. The aim of this study is to examine some epidemiological aspects and the frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and NTM isolates, at the central public health reference laboratory, Dr. Costa Alvarenga, Piauí (LACEN-PI). Method: Data records from January 2014 to March 2015 analyzed, being included all mycobacterial cases. Results: Of the positive mycobacterial growth recorded (142/706, 20%), 99 (70 %) were Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 10% NTM. The inadequacy of the remaining NTM suspected specimens did not allow identification. The most frequent clinical presentation was pulmonary form and tuberculous patients were younger than that infected with NTM (p=0.001), most of them living in the capital Teresina (52 %).Comomnly NTMs identified were Mycobacterium abscessus (36 %), Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellular, and Mycobacterium sp. (14 %, each), and 7% (each) of Mycobacterium asiaticum, Mycobacterium szulgai, and Mycobacterium kansasii. The drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis was 7.8%, three MR, one XDR or RR. The frequency of coinfection HIV-TB was high (49%, 19/39). Conclusion: High frequency of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, drug resistance and HIV-coinfection, which still underestimated. Failure in the identification of all suspect NTM infection underestimated frequency. Therefore, there is a need for improvements in TB control and in the management of NTM diagnosis in Piauí.

Keywords

• m. tuberculosis. non-tuberculous mycobacteria (ntm).drug resistance.hiv.epidemiology.