Species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients

Species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria isolated from HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients <b>Introduction:</b> The incidence of mycobacteriosis is growing due to an increase in the number of immunocompromised patients, including those with HIV infection. The species diversity of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in patients with different HIV statuses is not well understood. <b>Aims and Objectives:</b> Compare species diversity of NTM in HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) patients. <b>Methods:</b> We conducted a retrospective study of NTM infections at the National Center for Phthisiopulmonology and Infectious Diseases in 2018-2019. All patients were divided into two groups: HIV+ (54 patients) and HIV- (85 patients). Both groups of patients had isolated NTM and mycobacteriosis was diagnosed. NTM isolates were obtained using MGIT and FX systems (BD, USA). Identification was carried out using MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker, Germany). <b>Results:</b> The Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prevailed in both groups, beeing more common in HIV+ patients than in HIV- patients: 98.1% versus 60.0% (p &lt;0.001). Of the causative agents of MAC infection, M. avium predominates in both groups, but is most often found in HIV+ group: in 96.3% versus 40.0% (p &lt;0.001). M. intracellulare was less common: 1.9% versus 20.0% (p &lt;0.001). The following most common species were also identified in HIV- groups: M. abscessus (11.8%), M. kansasii (10.6%), M.lentiflavum and M.fortuitum (3.5%) <b>Conclusion:</b> In group with HIV+, the main species of NTM is M.avium. In patients with HIV -, the NTM spectrum is more diverse