Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences (Jan 2023)
Molecular diagnostic methods in detection and identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in post-operative wound infections: A systematic review
Abstract
Background: Post-operative wound contamination with non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) organisms is not rare, however, it poses difficulty in identification and isolation using routine standard laboratory tests. Objective: In past decades, numerous molecular techniques were introduced to solve this issue however, the results were heterogeneous. There is a need for identification of rapid, sensitive, and effective molecular methods for NTM detection. Methods: Published articles relevant to research questions were searched in the database (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science). Additionally, studies were searched through snowballing. The articles were included as per eligibility for data extraction. The included articles were assessed on quality reporting and results were presented using the descriptive analysis.Results:27 studies articles (131 patients) out of 3439 searches were included. 12 and 15 were case series and case reports respectively. Cases were reported mostly from India, Brazil, South Korea, and the United States of America. 16srRNA gene sequencing and reverse hybridization techniques were the common techniques used. Most frequently isolated NTM reported in POWI was M. abscessus followed by M. chelonae. Overall quality of case reports and case series were high to moderate, however, in general evidence level from case report and case series is considered a slow. Conclusion: The 16sr RNA gene sequencing and reverse hybridization techniques were the most common, faster, sensitive and specific diagnostic method sutilized in hospitals to detect NTM. However, most of this evidence is presented from the case reports and case series, prospective randomized clinical trials with a quality methodology should be conducted to ascertain the real effect estimate.
