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BMC Infectious Diseases
Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Tuberculosis | Research article

Clinical and microbiological characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacteria diseases in Singapore with a focus on pulmonary disease, 2012-2016

Authors: Zoe Xiaozhu Zhang, Benjamin Pei Zhi Cherng, Li-Hwei Sng, Yen Ee Tan

Published in: BMC Infectious Diseases | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Information on non-tuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) diseases remains limited in Singapore and other Southeast Asian countries. This study aimed to delineate epidemiological and clinical features of pulmonary NTM disease.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on all NTM isolates identified in Singapore General Hospital from 2012 to 2016 using the 2007 ATS/IDSA diagnostic criteria.

Results

A total of 2026 NTM isolates from 852 patients were identified. M. abscessus-chelonae group (1010, 49.9%) was the most commonly isolated and implicated in pulmonary NTM disease. Pulmonary cases (352, 76%) had the highest prevalence among patients diagnosed with NTM diseases (465/852, 54.6%) with no gender difference. Male patients were older (68.5 years, P = 0.014) with a higher incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (23.6%, P < 0.001) and recurrent cough with phlegm production (51.6%, P = 0.035). In contrast, more female patients had bronchiectasis (50%, P < 0.001) and haemoptysis (37.6%, P = 0.042). Age and COPD were associated with multiple NTM species isolation per patient.

Conclusions

M. abscessus-chelonae group was the commonest NTM species isolated in Singapore. Pulmonary NTM infection has the highest frequency with male and female patients associated with a higher incidence of COPD and bronchiectasis respectively. Age and COPD were associated with multiple NTM species isolation per patient.
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Metadata
Title
Clinical and microbiological characteristics of non-tuberculous mycobacteria diseases in Singapore with a focus on pulmonary disease, 2012-2016
Authors
Zoe Xiaozhu Zhang
Benjamin Pei Zhi Cherng
Li-Hwei Sng
Yen Ee Tan
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Infectious Diseases / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2334
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-019-3909-3

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