Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are an emerging group of related opportunistic pathogens resembling tuberculosis (TB) infections with a wide virulence spectrum. The diversity of the causative agents of NTM disease underscores the need for swift identification, as it differ...

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Main Authors: Manoj K. Sah, Lenin Mahimainathan, Muluye Mesfin, Andrew E. Clark, Jeffrey A. SoRelle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Journal of Infection and Public Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125002394
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author Manoj K. Sah
Lenin Mahimainathan
Muluye Mesfin
Andrew E. Clark
Jeffrey A. SoRelle
author_facet Manoj K. Sah
Lenin Mahimainathan
Muluye Mesfin
Andrew E. Clark
Jeffrey A. SoRelle
author_sort Manoj K. Sah
collection DOAJ
description Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are an emerging group of related opportunistic pathogens resembling tuberculosis (TB) infections with a wide virulence spectrum. The diversity of the causative agents of NTM disease underscores the need for swift identification, as it differs by geographic regions, and treatment approaches vary. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria recovered in North Texas. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. We included 15,724 pulmonary and extra-pulmonary specimens submitted to Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) culture. A total of 820 specimens growing with the Mycobacterial species were counted for the final analysis. Species prevalence, site of growth, and seasonal trends were evaluated at our site. Results: In a total of 15,724 AFB cultures (5.21 %, n = 820), specimens were positive for twenty-four different species/subspecies of mycobacteria. Overall, the prevalence of NTM was (5.05 %, n = 795). Out of 820, the incidence of NTM was (97 %, n = 795) and M. tuberculosis complex (3 %, n = 25). 15.4 % (704/4574) of NTM were isolated from pulmonary and 0.82 % (91/11,150) from extra-pulmonary specimens. (63 %, n = 514) were slow-growing mycobacteria. The major NTM species were M. avium complex (MAC) (46 %, n = 375), followed by M. abscessus complex (23.78 %, n = 195), M. chelonae (4.9 %, n = 40), M. mucogenicum phocaicum (3.9 %, n = 32), and M. arupense (2.1 %, n = 17). Notably, MAC had cyclical low points in July and February but peaked in October. There was no seasonal pattern for M. abscessus complex. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the frequency of NTM was much higher than TB. Remarkably, the prevalence of M. avium complex and M. abscessus complex occupies the top rank, with the emerging M. chelonae and M. mucogenicum phocaicum. This warrants a precise analytical approach to identify the NTM as the diverse geographical distribution and the needed species-specific treatment regimen to adopt control measures.
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spelling doaj-art-8cd3cc19a3bb4cdb9e8f99c3e47330f22025-07-12T04:46:11ZengElsevierJournal of Infection and Public Health1876-03412025-10-011810102890Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North TexasManoj K. Sah0Lenin Mahimainathan1Muluye Mesfin2Andrew E. Clark3Jeffrey A. SoRelle4Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Correspondence to: 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections are an emerging group of related opportunistic pathogens resembling tuberculosis (TB) infections with a wide virulence spectrum. The diversity of the causative agents of NTM disease underscores the need for swift identification, as it differs by geographic regions, and treatment approaches vary. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria recovered in North Texas. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted between January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023. We included 15,724 pulmonary and extra-pulmonary specimens submitted to Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) culture. A total of 820 specimens growing with the Mycobacterial species were counted for the final analysis. Species prevalence, site of growth, and seasonal trends were evaluated at our site. Results: In a total of 15,724 AFB cultures (5.21 %, n = 820), specimens were positive for twenty-four different species/subspecies of mycobacteria. Overall, the prevalence of NTM was (5.05 %, n = 795). Out of 820, the incidence of NTM was (97 %, n = 795) and M. tuberculosis complex (3 %, n = 25). 15.4 % (704/4574) of NTM were isolated from pulmonary and 0.82 % (91/11,150) from extra-pulmonary specimens. (63 %, n = 514) were slow-growing mycobacteria. The major NTM species were M. avium complex (MAC) (46 %, n = 375), followed by M. abscessus complex (23.78 %, n = 195), M. chelonae (4.9 %, n = 40), M. mucogenicum phocaicum (3.9 %, n = 32), and M. arupense (2.1 %, n = 17). Notably, MAC had cyclical low points in July and February but peaked in October. There was no seasonal pattern for M. abscessus complex. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the frequency of NTM was much higher than TB. Remarkably, the prevalence of M. avium complex and M. abscessus complex occupies the top rank, with the emerging M. chelonae and M. mucogenicum phocaicum. This warrants a precise analytical approach to identify the NTM as the diverse geographical distribution and the needed species-specific treatment regimen to adopt control measures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125002394Non-tuberculous mycobacteriaCulture-positive mycobacteriaSeasonal NTM
spellingShingle Manoj K. Sah
Lenin Mahimainathan
Muluye Mesfin
Andrew E. Clark
Jeffrey A. SoRelle
Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
Journal of Infection and Public Health
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Culture-positive mycobacteria
Seasonal NTM
title Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
title_full Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
title_fullStr Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
title_short Prevalence and species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in North Texas
title_sort prevalence and species diversity of non tuberculous mycobacteria in north texas
topic Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
Culture-positive mycobacteria
Seasonal NTM
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876034125002394
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