The Incidence Of NTM Pulmonary Infection In Patients With Bronchiectasis

[Objective]: To evaluate the occurrence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in patients with bronchiectasis and relationship between nontuberculous mycobacteria infection and bronchiectasis.[Methods] : Ninety six in and out patients with bronchiectasis were evaluated in the Shenzhen People; Hospital from October, 2000 to December, 2002. Each patient had sputum smear for acid fast bacillus for three consecutive days, and those with a positive results for AFB had sputum cultured for mycobacteria. Isolates were further identified using the HP 6890 gas-chromatography. Those with negative sputum smear were bronscopied and bronchial secretions were collected for smear and culture.[Results] : Positive acid-fast-bacilli were detected in 24 specimens , 19 from sputum smear and 5 from bronchial brush. Bacteria were cultured from 18 specimens. Among them, there were 17 cases of NTM, and one case of tuberculous mycobacteria (TM). The positive rate for NTM was 17.7% (17/96) in patients with bronchiectasis.[Conclusion]: The incidence of NTM pulmonary infection in patients with bronchiectasis was high, which implied that there were some relationship between bronchiectasis and NTM infection.