Nontuberculous mycobacterial infection in patients with bronchiectasis. A single-center study

Abstract

Background: Globally, bronchiectasis-related nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease is on the rise. The diagnosis of NTM infection is difficult and treatment varies according to NTM species. This study intended to detect the prevalence of NTM in patients with bronchiectasis. Methods: A total of 100 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens were collected from patients with adult-onset bronchiectasis attending the chest medicine department, Mansoura University Hospitals (MUH), Egypt between December 2021 and November 2022. Clinical samples were processed to detect NTM isolates by phenotypic methods including microscopic examination, culture on Lowenstein Jensen (LJ) slants, and various biochemical reactions. Positive NTM specimens were further confirmed by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Out of 100 patients included in this study, seven cases were positive for NTM in their BAL by conventional methods. Of those, two were confirmed as Mycobacterium kanssasi by multiplex PCR (29%; 2/7) and five (71.4%, 5/7) were unidentified NTM species. NTM infection was significantly associated with old age and immunocompromised status of the patients. Conclusion: Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is a common health problem in bronchiectasis and should be routinely examined particularly in old age and individuals with lower immune response.

Keywords

• atypical mycobacteria
• ntm
• bronchiectasis