Blood Microbiota and Cancer: Cell Wall-Deficient L-Forms of Bacteria and Fungi as Cancer-Promoting Environment

In recent years, valuable experience and insights have been gained into L-forms (cell-wall-deficient variants) of bacteria and fungi and their disease-trigger potential in cases with chronic infections, autism spectrum disorders, autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. Based on the concept of “internal” blood microbiota, consisting of L-forms and its relevance to health and disease, the current study aims to outline the profile of dysbiotic disorders in three cancer patients (with endometrial cancer, breast cancer and acute myeloid leukemia), all in a phase before chemotherapy. Venous blood samples from the patients and from one control healthy person, were microbiologically studied. The used novel methodology of blood microbiota assessment was based on the following phases: isolation of L-forms, development and propagation, cultivation and conversion of L-forms into classical bacteria and fungi, as well as their identification with MALDI-TOF method. From the patients were isolated L-forms of opportunistic bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis, Esherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans) and fungi such as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucorales. In conclusion, the common feature found for the three cancer patients was the isolation from the blood of highly associated communities consisting of morphologically indistinguishable L-bodies, which through reversion in broth, were identified as distinct bacterial and fungal species. Unlike classic bacteria or fungi causing sepsis and bacteremia/fungemia, the presence of L-forms in blood is hidden, it does not demonstrate clinical signs nor it can be detected by conventional methods. It should be noted, however, that the dysbiotic blood microbiota shows unique and individual characteristics for the concrete cancer patient, correlates to the common state of the organism and tumor localization in the body, as well as it outlines the cancer promoting role of L-forms in processes of malignization, cancer genesis and progression.

Detecting katG Drug Resistant Genetic Mutation among pneumoconiosis patients complicated with tuberculosis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms by PCR-SSCP

Objective：To study the relationship between mutation in the katG gene and drug resistance of INH in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms among patients of pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis, and to explore the clinical application of PCR-SSCP. Methods： A total of 52 clinical isolated strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms were collected. Mutation in the katG genes was detected by PCR-SSCP and traditional antimicrobial susceptibility test （AST）. Results： The results by AST showed that there were 40 persisters in 52 clinical isolated strains. The drug resistant rate was 76.92%（40/52）, and the gene mutation rate of katG was 57.70%（30/52）by PCR-SSCP, the difference was no quite significance （X^2 = 2.8507, P 〉 0.05）. The coincidence rate of two methods was 75.00% （30/40）. Conclusion： The detectionrate of katG resistant strains in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms was high by PCR-SSCP. The combined application of PCR-SSCP and traditional antimicrobial susceptibility test can improve the detecting rate.

Detecting drug resistant genetic mutation among pneumoconiosis patients complicated with tuberculosis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms application of PCR-SSCP technique in Huainan mining district

Objective： To study the relationship between drug resistant genetic mutation and drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-form, discuss the internal relationship between drug resistances and drug-resistant related genes and explore the value of PCR- SSCP to clinical application. Methods： A total of 52 clinically isolated strains of tuberculosis L-form were collected among 97 pneumoconiosis patients complicated with tuberculosis. The gene mutations of katG, rpoB and rpsL were detected by PCR-SSCP, and the results were compared with those analyzed by traditional antimicrobial susceptibility test（AST）. Results： The gene muta- tion rates of katG, rpoB and rpsL by PCR-SSCP were respectively 57.70% （30/52）, 65.38% （32/52） and 40.38% （21/52）. The rate of reversion was 78.85%（41/52） and the result of drag-resistant genes was invariable. The results of AST showed that there were 40 （76.92%） multi-drug resistant strains in 52 clinically isolated strains. The number for three-drug resistant strain was 21 （40.38%） and that of two-drug resistant was 19（36.54%）, but only 12（23.08%） strains were one drug resistant. The rate of total drug-resistance was 100%, but there were 15 strains of allied mutation of three genes, 16 of two mutations and 6 of only one by PCR-SSCP. The coincidences were respectively 71.43%, 84.12% and 50.00%. Then there was no significant difference between the allied mutations of multi-drug resistant gene and the mutations of only one drug resistant gene （P 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： PCR-SSCP technique has a higher sensibility and specificity to detect the genes of katG, rpoB and rpsL in tuberculosis L-form among pneumoconiosis complicated with tuberculosis,and the detecting rate of two drug resistant strains and three drug resistant strains was higher. The combined application of PCR-SSCP and AST has advantages at earlier diagnosis and guidance of clinical medications.

Chronic intractable nontuberculous mycobacterial-infected wound after acupuncture therapy in the elbow joint:A case report

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal nontuberculous Mycobacterium(NTM)infections are rare,partic-ularly post-acupuncture therapy,and present diagnostic challenges due to their infrequency and potential severity.Prompt recognition and appropriate manage-ment are crucial for optimal outcomes.NTM-infected wounds involving the joints are difficult to treat,and only a few cases have been reported.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a chronic intractable NTM-infected wound on the elbow joint that completely healed with conservative wound care and antibiotic treatment.An 81-year-old woman presented with a chronic,ulcerative wound on the right elbow joint where she had undergone repeated acupuncture therapy for chronic intolerable pain.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed synovial thickening,effusion,and subcutaneous cystic lesions.An orthopedic surgeon performed open synovectomy and serial debridement.However,1 month postoperatively,the wound had not healed and became chronic.A wound culture revealed NTM(Mycobacterium abscessus),and the patient was referred to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.Instead of surgical intervention,conservative wound care with intravenous antibiotics was provided,considering the wound status and the patient’s poor general condition.Complete wound healing was achieved in 12 months,with no impact on the range of motion of the elbow joint.CONCLUSION With clinical awareness,musculoskeletal NTM infection can be treated with conservative wound care and appropriate antimicrobial agents.

Pulmonary sequestration infected with nontuberculous mycobacteria:a report of two cases and literature review

We report two cases of pulmonary sequestration infected with nontuberculous mycobacteria(NTM): Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium abscessus.Chest computed tomography showed pneumonic consolidation in the right lower lobe,which received a systemic blood supply from the descending aorta in both patients.Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries were successfully performed and pathologica]examinations revealed multiple caseating granulomas.A review of the literature revealed only seven previous case reports of pulmonary sequestration infected with NTM,and no case with Mycobacterium abscessus has been reported.

Misdiagnosis of tuberculosis and the clinical relevance of nontuberculous mycobacteria in Zambia

Objective:To determine the accuracy of TB diagnosis of TB in Zambia in the era of increasing HIV prevalence.Methods:Sputum of the clinically diagnosed TB cases was additionally subjected to liquid culture and molecular identification.This study distinguished between TB cases confirmed by positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis(M.tuberculosis) cultures and mycobacterial disease caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria(NTM).Results:Only 49% of the 173 presumptively diagnosed TB cases was M.tuberculosis cultured,while in 13% (22) cases,a combination of M.tuberculosis and NTM was found.In 18% of the patients only NTM were cultured.In 28% ,no mycobacteria was cultivable.HIV positive status was correlated with the isolation of NTM(P【0.05).Conclusions:The diagnosis of tuberculosis based on symptoms, sputum smear and/or chest X-ray leads to significant numbers of false-positive TB cases in Zambia,most likely due to the increased prevalence of HIV.The role of NTM in tuberculosislike disease also seems relevant to the false diagnosis of TB in Zambia.

Construction of Shuttle Expression Plasmid and Stable Expression of Foreign Gene in Mycobacteria and E．Coli

By employing the pUC19 as a backbone,the regulatory and signal sequences which encode kanamycin resistance, and mycobacterial plasmid origin of replication (oriM) were cloned into the pUC19. The recombinant E. Coli-mycobacteria shuttle expression plasmid PBCG-8000 was constructed. The PBCG-8000 was able to replicate in both E. Coli and mycobacteria (including BCG) systems, and to confer stable kanamycin resistance upon transformants. The study should facilitate the development of BCG and other mycobacteria into multivalent vaccine vectors.

Preliminary Study on Drug Susceptibility Profile and Resistance Mechanisms to Macrolides of Clinical Isolates of Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria from China

Objective Macrolide susceptibility and drug resistance mechanisms of clinical non-tuberculous mycobacteria（NTM） isolates were preliminarily investigated for more accurate diagnosis and treatment of the infection in China. Methods Four macrolides, including clarithromycin（CLAR）, azithromycin（AZM）, roxithromycin（ROX）, and erythromycin（ERY）, were used to test the drug susceptibility of 310 clinical NTM isolates from six provinces of China with the broth microdilution method. Two resistance mechanisms, 23 S r RNA and erm, were analyzed with nucleotide sequence analysis. Results Varied effectiveness of macrolides and species-specific resistance patterns were observed. Most Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense were susceptible and all M. fortuitum were highly resistant to macrolides. All the drugs, except for erythromycin, exhibited excellent activities against slow-growing mycobacteria, and drug resistance rates were below 22.2%. Only four highly resistant strains harbored 2,058/2,059 substitutions on rrl and none of other mutations were related to macrolide resistance. G2191 A and T2221 C on rrl were specific for the M. abscessus complex（MABC）. Seven sites, G2140 A, G2210 C, C2217 G, T2238 C, T2322 C, T2404 C, and A2406 G, were specifically carried by M. avium and M. intracellulare. Three sites, A2192 G, T2358 G, and A2636 G, were observed only in M. fortuitum and one site G2152 A was specific for M. gordonae. The genes erm（39） and erm（41） were detected in M. fortuitum and M. abscessus and inducible resistance was observed in relevant sequevar. Conclusion The susceptibility profile of macrolides against NTM was demonstrated. The well-known macrolide resistance mechanisms, 23 S r RNA and erm, failed to account for all resistant NTM isolates, and further studies are warranted to investigate macrolide resistance mechanisms in various NTM species.

Two-Tube Multiplex PCR for Genotyping Tuberculous and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Species in Pathology Specimens

Background: The incidence of mycobacterial infection, in particular M. tuberculosis complex (MTC), is increasing in some Western countries, while nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) may be recognized more frequently in clinical specimens worldwide. The clinical scenario and available histopathology alone are often insufficient to separate these two categories of mycobacterial disease, whose behavior and treatment differ. In particular, NTM may be clinically unsuspected in pathological specimens and the opportunity for culturing missed. Methods: We developed two multiplex PCR assays, which distinguish MTC from NTM by detecting the IS6110 insert in the first tube and discriminating up to 14 NTM reference strains in the second by targeting the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer. Test material included 594 routine clinical specimens with diverse pathology;many were granulomas unrelated to mycobacterial infection. About 75% were formalin-fixed paraffin blocks, the remainder mainly cytologic imprints or aspirates on FTA cards submitted on suspicion of mycobacterial infection either to avoid frozen sectioning (with the attendant risk of aerosolisation) or at the time of fine needle aspiration. Results: The paraffinized material yielded 53 MTC positives and the cytological 21 positives. A subset consisting of 337 specimens was also analyzed for NTM and yielded 51 positives. The frequency of simultaneous NTM infection in tuberculous patients was about 17%. Mycobacterium avium complex represented the dominant NTM species overall, showed a predilection for lung and lymph node, and together with M. haemophilum were the second most frequent NTM just behind M. ulcerans/M. marinum in skin and soft tissue, the category displaying the largest NTM diversity. Conclusions: Cytological and deparaffinized tissue analyzed in a new two-tube multiplex PCR allows for specific discrimination of causative agents in mycobacterial infection. MTC is readily distinguished from NTM for appropriate therapy, and NTM presumptively diagnosed at the species level allows appropriate choices of antimicrobials.

Mesenchymal-epithelial Transition Factor Regulates Monocyte Function during Mycobacterial Infection via Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase

Objective Mycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb),the causative agent of tuberculosis(TB),causes an estimated 1.6 million human deaths annually,but the pathogenesis of TB remains unclear.Immunity plays a critical role in the onset and outcome of TB.This study aimed to uncover the roles of innate and adaptive immunity in TB.Methods The gene expression profiles generated by RNA sequencing from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)stimulated with or without Mtb strain H37Rv antigens were analyzed.A total of 973 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified.Results The differentially expressed genes were enriched in innate immunity signaling functions.The mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor(MET)gene was significantly upregulated in CD14^(+)monocytes.A MET inhibitor improved the uptake of the BCG strain by monocytes and macrophages as well as inhibited the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase(IDO).The expression of IDO was increased in PBMCs stimulated with Mtb antigens,and the IDO inhibitor promoted the expression of CD40,CD83,and CD86.Conclusion Our results might provide clues regarding the immunomodulatory mechanisms used by Mtb to evade the host defense system.

Novel Approach to Microbiological Study of Chronic Inflammations at Upper Respiratory Tract: Research of Blood L-Form Microbiota

Background: The recognition of human blood microbiota, consisting of cell wall-deficient microbes (L-forms), is a major challenge today in the field of microbiology. There are accumulating data confirming the concept of “internal” blood L-form microbiota and its significance for health and diseases. Finding out whether the blood microbiota can be of diagnostic and prognostic importance for detection and evaluation of chronic infections anywhere in the body is a major objective. In the context of chronically infected upper respiratory tract (URT), the aim of the current study was to understand whether a local infection can be a source for entry of bacteria and fungi in the blood. Methods: Blood samples from six persons with chronic inflammations in URT diagnosed with hypertrophied adenoids, chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, chronic naso-pharyngitis and one control healthy person were studied. Blood microbiota assessment methodology that be used, included three phases: 1) isolation of L-form cultures from blood-development and propagation;2) cultivation directed to conversion of L-forms into bacterial and fungal cultures;3) isolation of pure classical bacterial and fungal cultures and their identification by MALDI-TOF method. Results: From the patients were isolated L-forms of opportunistic bacteria (Streptococcus mitis, Roseomonas mucosa, Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter johnsonii, Pseudomonas putida, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas luteola, Enterobacter cloacae) and fungi such as Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Mucorales. Conclusion: The novel innovative methodology for assessment of blood L-form microbiota was successfully applied for detection of microbes responsible for chronic infections at URT.

MALDI-TOF MS Assessment to Identify Environmental Mycobacteria

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of mycobacterial species described. Currently, the genus?Mycobacterium?consists of 170 species. Most species are called nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and are potentially or rarely pathogenic and ubiquitous. One of the main challenges in mycobacteriology is the rapid and precise identification of these microorganisms. In this work, we compared two protein extraction protocols for the identification of 38 reference strains and clinical isolates, representing 27 species, by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to subsequently use the best method for identifying environmental mycobacteria. The results obtained with reference strains and clinical isolates showed that protocol A was effective in identifying 92.1% of mycobacterial specimens at the species level and protocol B, 50%. Therefore, protocol A was evaluated for the rapid identification of 27 environmental mycobacterial isolates. These isolates were subjected to PCR-restriction enzyme analysis (PRA-hsp65). Two isolates were misidentified by PRA-hsp65, whereas MALDI-TOF MS was able to identify them correctly. The results were confirmed by?hsp65 and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Mass spectrometry has the advantage of being a simpler and faster technique than PRA-hsp65, and our results showed that MALDI-TOF MS is a valuable tool for the identification of environmental mycobacterial isolates.

Sequence analysis on drug-resistant rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-form of isolated from pneumoconiosis workers

To study the characteristics of drug-resistant genetic mutation of rpoB on coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis complicated with L-form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods： A total of 42 clinical isolated strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms were collected, including 31 drug-resistant strains. Their genomes DNA were extracted, the target genes were amplified by PCR, and the hot regions in the rpoB gene were analyzed by automated DNA sequenator. Results： No mutation of rpoB gene was identified in 11 rifampicin-sensitive strains while conformation changes were found in 31 rifampicin-resistant strains. The mutation rate was 93.55% （29/31） in resistant strains, mainly concentrated in codon 531 （51.6%, 16/31） and 526 （32.26%, 10/31）. Base substitutions happened, including 27 unit point mutation and 2 two point mutation. The mutation of codon 516 that new found wasn＇t reported by internal and overseas scholars. Conclusion： The substitution of highly conserved amino acids encoded by rpoB gene results in the molecular mechanism responsible for rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis L-forms. It also proves that rpoB gene is diversiform.

Giant Bursitis of Wrist and Multiple Tenosynovitis of Hand with Rice Body Formation: Unusual Case of an Atypical Mycobacteria Infection

We report an unusual manifestation of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection characterized by a giant bursitis on wrist and multiple tenosynovitis with many rice bodies formations. The clinical and radiological examinations are neither rather sensitive nor rather specific. The nuclear imagery of rice bodies formations provides elements of guidance. Cause of absence of the germ isolation, diagnosis was retained on probability items based on a suspicion of arguments beam: clinical, biological, bacteriological and histological. The patient was treated with medical and surgical procedure and provided a satisfactory evolution. At follow-up of 15 months, there were no clinical signs of local recurrence. Through a literature review, the problem of diagnosis of certainty will be discussed.

Application of PCR-SSCP in detecting rpoB drug resistant gene polymorphism of M. tuberculosis L-form from pneumoconiosis patients with tuberculosis

Objective: To study the relationship between the polymorphism of drug resistant gene rpoB and drug resistance against rifampicin(RFP) of M. tuberculosis L-forms, and to evaluate its clinical application. Methods: A total of 52 clinical isolated strains of M. tuberculosis L-forms were collected. rpoB gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and conventional antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST). Their results were compared. Results: AST results showed that 38 of 52 clinical isolated strains were drug resistance (73.08％),while PCR-SSCP indicated 65.38％ (32/52) rpoB gene polymorphism. There was no statistic significance(χ2= 2.4914) between the 2 methods. Conclusion:Combined the application of PCR-SSCP with AST in detecting rpoB drug resistant gene polymorphism of M. tuberculosis L-form from pneumoconiosis patients with tuberculosis may have advantages at earlier diagnosis and guidance of clinical medications.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections in Katavi Rukwa Ecosystems

A study on nontuberculous mycobacteria （NTM） was carried out in wildlife-livestock interface of Katavi Rukwa ecosystem （KRE）. 328 livestock tissues and 178 wild animals were cultured, wild animals were sampled opportunistically during professional hunting and game cropping operations in the KRE protected areas. The objective of the study was to generate data on epidemiology of NTM in the wildlife-livestock interface of the KRE. Methods used to identify the NTM were： culture and isolation, polymerase chain reaction, protein heat shock 65 kilodalton （hsp65） and sequencing. Mycobacteria were detected on 25.9% and 11.9% of livestock and wildlife tissue cultures, respectively. The most NTM isolated were M. kansasii （30%）, M. gastri （30%）, M. fortuitum （1%）, M. intracellulare （4%）, M. indicuspranii （4%）, M. nonchromogenicum （6%） and M. lentiflavum （6%）. Other NTM in smaller percentages were M. hibernae, M. engbaekii, M. septicum, M. arupense and 34.. godii. Due to rise of NTM infection in both human and animals, it is recommended that awareness and laboratory facilities be improved to curb the underreporting especially in TB-endemic countries. For species specific identification, a network of national and regional laboratories is promoted.

34例非结核分枝杆菌病的临床病理特征分析

目的:探讨非结核分枝杆菌(non-tuberculous mycobacteria,NTM)病的临床病理学特征。方法:回顾性收集北京协和医院2015年3月1日至2023年12月31日诊治且有病理送检记录的34例NTM病患者的临床资料及病理资料。将所有患者分为播散性NTM病组(14例)和非播散性NTM病组(20例),分析并比较两组患者的临床病理特征。结果:22例(64.71%,22/34)患者的致病菌为鸟-胞内分枝杆菌,6例(17.65%,6/34)患者的致病菌为龟-脓肿分枝杆菌,4例(11.76%,4/34)患者为堪萨斯分枝杆菌。病理组织学检查发现23例(67.65%,23/34)可见肉芽肿病变,其中,19例(82.61%,19/23)样本中的上皮样组织细胞排列均松散,7例(30.43%,7/23)样本中可见化脓性肉芽肿。5例(14.71%,5/34)可见富于核碎片的嗜碱性坏死,4例(11.76%,4/34)出现粉染的干酪样坏死,18例(52.94%,18/34)观察到多核巨细胞反应。5例(23.81%,5/21)抗酸染色阳性。结论:NTM病的病理组织学表现多样,以松散的上皮样肉芽肿为主要病理改变,常伴多核巨细胞反应,且化脓性肉芽肿较常见。

Assessment of the Quality of Life of Patients with Mycobacterial Pulmonary Diseases

Introduction: Mycobacteria pulmonary diseases are chronic illnesses with various impacts on patients’ health status, and wellbeing. These diseases currently represent a global health issue due to increasing burdens and the lack of new development on therapeutic options. Policies based on the quality of life may help to improve the management of this chronic respiratory disease;this study was designed to assess the quality of life of patients treated for the pulmonary mycobacterial disease. Materials and Methods: Participants diagnosed with a mycobacterial pulmonary disease were selected from the University Clinical Research Centers’ (UCRC) 2019 mycobacterial cohort database. A telephone interview was conducted using the Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-36) which has 36 items evaluating physical and mental wellbeing. Scores range from 0 - 100, with higher scores indicating greater Health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 23.0 and the Fisher test was used to compare percentages. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 26 participants were reached and interviewed by phone. The mean age was 42 ± 10.6 years, and 76.9% (20/26) were male. The most common cause of the mycobacterial pulmonary disease was Mycobacterium tuberculosis, with 84.6% (22/26). Four cases of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) were diagnosed including one Mycobacterium avium complex strain (MAC). HIV-positive cases were 46.2% (12/26), and the main respiratory sign was cough for all the participants (100%), followed by dyspnea 46.2% (12/26), chest pain 38.5% (10/26). The mean BMI was 19.7 ± 6.9 kg/m2, the mean respiratory rate was 24.7 ± 8.6, and the mean hemoglobin was 11.8 ± 2.2 g/dl. The mean SF-36 score was 75.1 ± 16.6, and impairment was mainly related to mental problems in 59.6%. The mean total score was significantly lower with age more than 42 years than age less than 42 years. But HIV positive and BMI less than 18.5 do not lead to a significant change of mean total score. Conclusion: Patients with mycobacterial pulmonary diseases have more psychological problems than physical ones. Hence the importance of psychological support in their management to improve their quality of life. A large sample size with a deep interview component would be necessary to address limitations in this design.

非结核分枝杆菌病诊治六十年

人类发现非结核杆菌(nontuberculous mycobacteria,NTM)病已有60多年,对其诊治水平不断提高。20世纪90年代,通过随机对照多中心研究,发现大环内酯为核心的方案对鸟分枝杆菌复合群疾病有较好疗效。几乎同一时期,以分子生物学为基础的菌种鉴定取代了生化实验为基础的菌种鉴定,使医疗机构广泛开展NTM病的诊治成为可能。近年,该领域也出现较多进步,如实现了临床标本分枝杆菌的快速菌种鉴定,发现再感染是NTM病治疗失败的重要原因,以及发现阿米卡星脂质体用于鸟分枝杆菌复合群肺病的价值。基于结核病诊治的经验,未来的NTM诊治要不断探索核心药物敏感性快速诊断方法,实现短疗程的NTM病治疗新方案。

Molecular Epidemiology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in a German CF Center and Clinical Course of NTM Positive Patients

Goal of this study was to analyse the clinical course of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in their respiratory secretions and to investigate the molecular epidemiology of the most prevalent NTM species by multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA). The respiratory specimen and the clinical parameters forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), body-mass-index (BMI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 1 h and immunoglobulin G (IgG) of 357 CF patients, 0 - 52.4 years, mean FEV1 2009 81.5% pred were analysed between 1998 and 2010. In 13 patients NTM were detected. 12 of 13 patients carried M. abscessus, for one patient the NTM species was not characterized. 4 patients carried a second NTM species (M. avium, M. chelonae (2x), M. intracellulare). 6 patients exhibited a significant decline in FEV1, however changes in BMI, IgG and ESR were discordant. Molecular genotyping of M. abscessus isolates revealed a unique MLSA pattern in 6 patients. 2 patients harboured identical strains, and one patient a closely related strain. Whether the presence of identical strains is attributed to the acquisition of NTM clones from common environmental sources or to patient-to-patient transmission cannot be definitely clarified. Although cross-in- fection of the three patients with identical/closely related strains in the present cohort is highly unlikely, we recommend strict hygiene measures for all CF patients harbouring NTM.