TY - JOUR T1 - Non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a retrospective review of Scottish isolates from 2000 to 2010 JF - Thorax JO - Thorax SP - 593 LP - 595 DO - 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-204260 VL - 69 IS - 6 AU - Clark D Russell AU - Pauline Claxton AU - Christine Doig AU - Amie-Louise Seagar AU - Alan Rayner AU - Ian F Laurenson Y1 - 2014/06/01 UR - http://thorax.bmj.com/content/69/6/593.abstract N2 - There is growing recognition of the clinical importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a group of versatile opportunistic bacterial pathogens. We describe the characteristics of NTM isolates in Scotland over an 11-year period using data held by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory. American Thoracic Society microbiological criteria were used to evaluate the clinical significance of isolates. Data presented include analysis of trends across time, species/body site associations, gender and age differences, geographical variations and the association between cystic fibrosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. We emphasise the need for standardised reporting criteria for NTM isolates to ensure optimal surveillance of NTM disease. ER -