Geographical distribution characteristics of nontuberculous Mycobacterium species in Wenzhou

ObjectiveTo study the distribution of respiratory nontuberculosis Mycobacteria(NTM) in 11 districts and counties of Wenzhou.

MethodsAll identified NTM strains isolated were further identified by 16S rRNA and hsp65 gene sequencing or gene chip during January 2014 to May 2017.

ResultsA total of 293 strains were identified as NTM (rejection of duplicate strains), of which there were 15 species.Mycobacterium avium complex(MAC) and Mycobacterium abscess had the absolute superiority(89.4%, 262/293), and the other strains accounted for only 10.6% (31/293).The top six districts and counties where NTM strains were separated from were Lucheng (28.7%, 84/293), Ouhai (13.7%, 40/293), Leqing (12.6%, 37/293), Yongjia (11.6%, 34/293), Cangnan (10.6%, 31/293) and Ruian (9.6%, 28/293) accounting for the majority (86.7%, 254/293).While the other five districts and counties accounted for only 13.3% (39/293).The distribution of Mycobacterium intracellulare was the most in Lucheng, Longwan, Ouhai, Ruian, Yongjia and Pingyang, followed by Mycobacterium abscess and Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium intracellulare was most frequently isolated in all districts and counties except Cangnan.

ConclusionThe NTM species in Wenzhou are mainly composed of Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium abscess and Mycobacterium avium, But there are some geographical distribution differences existing in them.