ANALYZING PREVALENCE OF NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIAL DISEASE IN INDIAN SUBJECTS WITH SUSPECTED KOCH’S DISEASE

Abstract

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections, or NTM diseases, are a major burden on the world and
Indian healthcare systems. The similarities between the clinical and radiographic characteristics of NTM and TB,
Nocardia, and fungal illnesses cause delays in their identification.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacterial illness in Indian
patients who were suspected of having tuberculosis at a tertiary healthcare facility in India.
Methods: Using an immunochromatographic assay (ICA), the current prospective investigation evaluated the
mycobacterial cultures that were taken from extrapulmonary and pulmonary specimens for patients who were
suspected of having TB.
Results: The isolates that tested negative for ICA were considered NTM suspects, and their species association and
diagnosis were verified by 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing. Drug therapy for the identified
species was administered to the patients who were afflicted with the active illness. To evaluate the clinical, radiologic,
and microbiologic results, the participants were summoned back and monitored.
Results: Of the individuals, 3.44% (n = 1), 6.89% (n = 2), 93.10% (n = 27), and 96.55% (n = 28) had ABPA,
bronchial asthma, post-tuberculosis, and bronchiectasis, respectively. Risk factors for extra-pulmonary NTM in the
individuals were gluteal muscle abscess, abdominal wall mesh abscess after hernia surgery, ear discharge, AIDS/HIV,
and post-orthodontia infection. These were seen in 19.44% (n=7), 14.28% (n=1), 14.28% (n=1), 14.28% (n=1), and
28.57% (n=2) of the patients, in that order. Regarding the adverse responses that the research participants reported,
eight study subjects died; in six of them, the cause of death was not stated, and in two of them, hemoptysis was the
cause of death. Table 3 shows that of the trial patients, 5.55% (n=2) had hospitalisation, 2.77% (n=1) had generalised
pruritis, 2.77% (n=1) had alopecia, 2.77% (n=1) had sensorineural hearing loss, and 33.3% (n=12) experienced
gastrointestinal disorders. During the research period, three participants did not show up for recalls, two subjects
refused the recommended therapy, and eight patients died from causes other than NTM.