Nontuberculous mycobacteria isolated from specimens of pulmonary tuberculosis suspects, Northern Tunisia: 2002-2016.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Reports on the worldwide ascending trend of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) isolation rates and their effective role in respiratory tract infections are compelling. However, as yet, there are no such data relating to Tunisia.

Methods

Here we carried out a retrospective review of mycobacterial cultures originating from Northern Tunisia, which have been processed in the laboratory of mycobacteria of the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, during the time period 2002-2016. All pulmonary NTM (PNTM) isolates available for culture were characterized phenotypically and their taxonomic status was further established based on polymorphisms in rpoB, 16S rRNA, hsp65, and sodA DNA gene sequences.

Results

Of the 10,466 specimens collected from HIV-negative Tunisian p

SUBMITTER: Gharbi R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6751674 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature