Atypical mycobacterial infection among HIV seronegative patients in Pondicherry.

BACKGROUND

The role of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) as aetiological agents in the causation of lung infections has seldom been systematically studied from India.

METHODS

Prospective study of Species identification from mycobacterial isolates.

RESULTS

A total of 22 isolates of mycobacteria were isolated from 635 samples of suspected tuberculosis in a two months period, of which 17 were Mycobacterium tuberculosis, three Mycobacterium kansasii and one each of Mycobacterium fortuitum and Mycobacterium gordonae.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the importance of NTM as potential pathogens from both pulmonary and extrapulmonary sites in the Southern state of Pondicherry. Further studies on a larger scale are needed to delineate clearly the association of NTM and various infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.