Increasing Incidence of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria, Taiwan, 2000–2008

Abstract

To assess the species distribution and epidemiologic trends of nontuberculous mycobacteria, we examined isolates from patients in Taiwan. During 2000–2008, the proportion increased significantly from 32.3% to 49.8%. Associated disease incidence increased from 2.7 to 10.2 cases per 100,000 patients. Mycobacterium avium complex and M. abscessus were most frequently isolated.

Keywords

• Nontuberculous mycobacteria
• tuberculosis and other mycobacteria
• incidence
• Taiwan
• dispatch