Abstract
There is growing recognition of the clinical importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a group of versatile opportunistic bacterial pathogens. We describe the characteristics of NTM isolates in Scotland over an 11-year period using data held by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory. American Thoracic Society microbiological criteria were used to evaluate the clinical significance of isolates. Data presented include analysis of trends across time, species/body site associations, gender and age differences, geographical variations and the association between cystic fibrosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. We emphasise the need for standardised reporting criteria for NTM isolates to ensure optimal surveillance of NTM disease.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 593-5 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Thorax |
Volume | 69 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Distribution
- Child
- Female
- Humans
- Kidney Diseases
- Lung Diseases
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous
- Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
- Reference Standards
- Retrospective Studies
- Scotland
- Sex Distribution
- Skin Diseases, Bacterial
- Young Adult
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't