Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Zambia: prevalence, clinical, radiological and microbiological characteristics

作者：Chanda Kapata Pascalina^*; Kapata Nathan; Klinkenberg Eveline; Mulenga Lutinala; Tembo Mathias; Katemangwe Patrick; Sunkutu Veronica; Mwaba Peter; Grobusch Martin P

来源：BMC Infectious Diseases, 2015, 15(1): 500.

DOI：10.1186/s12879-015-1264-6

• Epidemiology
• Survey
• Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
• Emerging
• Public health
• Diagnosis

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection is an emerging health problem. We present here the Zambia-specific national level data of prevalence, symptomatic, radiological and microbiological characteristics of NTM, using results from a national Tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of NTM among adults aged 15 years and above, who were participants in a national TB prevalence survey. Participants who had either an abnormal chest x-ray or were symptomatic were considered presumptive TB cases and submitted sputum for smear and culture analysis. HIV testing was performed on an opt-out basis. Symptomatic NTM prevalence was estimated from individual level analysis.
Results: Of the 6,123 individuals with presumptive TB, 923 (15.1 %) were found to have NTM, 13 (0.2 %) were MTB/NTM co-infected and 338 (5.5 %) were contaminated (indeterminate). The prevalence of symptomatic NTM was found to be 1,477/100,000 [95 % CI 1010-1943]. Smear positivity, history of cough or chest pain and HIV positivity were risk factors for NTM.
Conclusion: This first study to estimate the national prevalence of NTM in Zambia indicates that the burden is high. The NTM occurrence in Zambia constitutes both a public health and ethical issue requiring action from health managers.

• 出版日期2015-11-6