Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteremia among HIV and non-HIV patients in a Mexican tertiary care center.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the factors associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex-positive blood culture.

METHODS

Case-control study. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from 2000 to 2015.

RESULTS

We reviewed medical records of 533 patients with culture-proven tuberculosis, of whom 27.2% (145/533) had blood culture available. Patients with mycobacteremia presented more frequently with abdominal tuberculosis, body mass index <18kg/m2, and had lower hemoglobin and albumin levels. No differences were observed regarding HIV status.

CONCLUSIONS

Few studies have reported on the characteristics associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex bacteremia, especially among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-negative patients. Out of 145 tuberculosis-infected patients with blood culture results available, 21 turned out positive. Anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and a body mass index<18kg/m2 were associated with mycobacteremia.