The Intriguing Pattern of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Bulgaria and Description of Mycobacterium bulgaricum sp. nov.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the rise of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in Bulgaria, focusing on species identification and distribution from 2018 to 2022. Utilizing advanced diagnostic tools, including the Hain Mycobacterium CM/AS method, Myco-biochip assay, and whole-genome sequencing, the study identifies and characterizes a diverse range of Mycobacterium species from clinical samples. While M. avium, M. gordonae, M. fortuitum, and M. chelonae were dominating, a number of rare species were also found. They include such species as M. marseillense and M. celatum. Moreover, the noticeable prevalence of M. terrae complex species missed by conventional testing was observed. We identified a rare species, highly homologous to previously

SUBMITTER: Zimenkov D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11476446 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature