Table 2.
Clinically significant NTM (pulmonary and extra-pulmonary) isolates and their distribution among patients according to specimen type
| Specimen/number of specimens | Specimen AFB smear | NTM isolated |
|---|---|---|
|
Pulmonary isolates | ||
| Sputum/2 |
Numerous AFB |
M. fortuitum |
| Sputum/1 |
Moderate AFB |
M. mucogenicum |
| Sputum/2 |
Few AFB |
M. smegmatis |
| Sputum/4 |
Numerous AFB |
MAC |
| Sputum/1 |
Numerous AFB |
SGM |
| Sputum/1 |
Numerous AFB |
SGM |
| Sputum/1 |
Numerous AFB |
MAC |
| Sputum/1 |
Negative |
SGM |
| BAL/1 |
Numerous AFB |
SGM |
| Sputum/1 |
Few AFB |
SGM |
| Sputum/2 |
Few AFB |
MAC |
| Sputum/1 |
Negative |
MAC |
|
Extra-pulmonary isolates | ||
| Pus/2 |
Negative |
M. mucogenicum |
| Pus/2 |
Negative |
M. chelonae/abscessus |
| Synovial fluid, synovium & granulation tissue/3 |
Negative |
M. fortuitum |
| Lymph node pus/1 |
Numerous AFB |
MAC |
| Pus/1 | Negative | MAC |
NTM, non-tuberculous mycobacteria; MAC, Mycobacterium avium complex; AFB, acid fast bacilli; BAL, bronchoalveolar lavage; SGM, slow growing mycobacteria.