Comparative evaluation of biological specimens obtained from patients diagnosed with non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis

<b>Introduction:</b> Growing populatuon of highly susceptible immunocompromised individuals with various comorbidities is a group of risk for non tuberculosis mycobacteria infections, which can be difficult to diagnose. <b>Aim:</b> To identify the most valuble biological specimens for the verification of non-tuberculosis mycobacteriosis (NTMB). <b>Materials and Methods:</b> To assess the value of various biological specimens for verification of NTMB diagnosis. 40 patients with solid cavitary lesions (55%) and bronchiectasis (45%) were examined at the Central TB. Of them, 77.5% were men and 22.5% - women between 18 and 80 years of age. The following examinations were performed: microbiological examination of the biological specimens (sputum-2, BB/TBBL, surgical lung cavity resection material), liquid culture in ВАСТЕС MGIT, real-time PCR for identification of MTB DNA, DNA strips test. <b>Results:</b> The diagnosis of NTMB was established in line with the BTS criteria (2017). NTMB were isolated from the following specimens: sputum (2 specimens) -18/40 (45%), BB/TBBL-12/22 (54.5%), surgical lung cavity resection material - 10/10 (100%). The following species were identified: M.avium complex –35%, M.kansasii –27.5%, M.intracellulare-12.5%, M.xenopi – 10%, M.abscessus – 5%, M.gordonae, M.fortuitum, M.maimoense and M.szulgas 2.5% each. <b>Conclusions:</b> Lung cavities were most frequently associated with M.avium complex – 35% and M.kansasii – 27.5%. For the diagnosis of NTMB, sputum remains to be an effective material in 45% of cases. While with negative sputum, the most valuble are the biological BB/TBBL specimens (54.5%) and surgical lung cavity resection material (100%).