Objectives: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a matter of concern nowadays due to the rising trend of infections worldwide. They can cause extrapulmonary infections that may be misdiagnosed as tuberculosis due to their similar presentation and course of disease, leading to treatment failure and multidrug resistance. The study aimed to observe the frequency of NTM among extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) suspects and to determine their genetic diversity and species distribution.
Methods: Microscopy, culture, and Multiplex real-time PCR were performed in 190 clinical specimens of suspected EPTB cases. Species of isolated NTM were detected by sequence analysis of the hsp65 partial gene.
Results: NTM were detected in 24 (12.6%) cases, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex was detected in 86 (45.3%) cases. The major site of isolation of NTM was surgical site pus (50%), followed by endometrial tissue (29.2%) and lymph node (16.7%). Sequence analysis reveals Mycobacterium abscessus (55%) and Mycobacterium fortuitum (45%) as the most predominant species.
Conclusion: The increasing NTM infections among EPTB suspects in Bangladesh demand increased awareness and improved diagnostic facilities for early recovery of NTM from clinical specimens. Also, the speciation of NTM is essential as treatment management differs from species to species.
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis; Nontuberculous mycobacteria; Genetic diversity, hsp65 partial gene, Mycobacterium abscessus, Mycobacterium fortuitum