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Prospective study on nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with and without cystic fibrosis

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Abstract

Recent reports indicated an increase of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. However, it is still a matter of discussion whether criteria for diagnosis of NTM pulmonary infection established by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) are applicable for CF patients. We determined incidence and prevalence of NTM in CF patients and non-CF patients without HIV infection, and validity of ATS criteria for CF patients. Over a period of 2 years, 1,251 respiratory samples were investigated for mycobacteria from 91 CF and 162 non-CF patients. For all patients with NTM recovery, we reviewed clinical charts and determined outcome for up to 2 years. Incidence and prevalence for repeated recovery of NTM were higher in CF patients, but not significantly. CF patients with repeated recovery of NTM met clinical and bacteriological ATS criteria, but radiographic criteria were not met. Treated CF patients showed favorable clinical outcomes, as opposed to untreated patients. We propose a modified definition for diagnosis and hence treatment of NTM pulmonary infection in CF patients.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a research grant of the K. L. Weigand'sche Stiftung, a foundation of the medical faculty of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany. The authors thank A. Masch and B. Bücherl (Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, München, Germany) for outstanding technical assistance, R. Kühn (Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, München, Germany) for assistance in data handling, Dr. B. Kammer and Dr. A. Stäbler (Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany) for reevaluation of radiographic studies, and Dr. J. Eberle, Dr. M. Riedel, and Dr. B. Krebs (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany) for helpful discussion of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max von Pettenkofer-Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstrasse 9a, 80336, München, Germany

    Lorenz Leitritz, Andreas Roggenkamp, Anna Maria Geiger, Volker Fingerle & Jürgen Heesemann

  2. Kinderklinik und Kinderpoliklinik im Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Pettenkoferstrasse 8a, 80336, München, Germany

    Matthias Griese

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  1. Lorenz Leitritz
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  2. Matthias Griese
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  3. Andreas Roggenkamp
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  4. Anna Maria Geiger
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  6. Jürgen Heesemann
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Correspondence to Lorenz Leitritz.

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Leitritz, L., Griese, M., Roggenkamp, A. et al. Prospective study on nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with and without cystic fibrosis. Med Microbiol Immunol 193, 209–217 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-003-0195-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00430-003-0195-9

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