Combined assessment of Leptospirosis exposure in humans and rodents in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, the contribution of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to the aetiology of TB-like disease is uncertain. The aim of this pilot study was to generate data regarding the clinical relevance of pulmonary NTM to respiratory disease in the population making use of the platform provided by a nationwide TB prevalence survey.Methods & Materials: Sputa from eligible participants who had abnormal chest X-ray and/or symptoms suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) were cultured using the MGIT 960 system. DNA was extracted from all culture positive isolates confirmed not to be M. tuberculosiscomplex using the BD MGIT TBc identification test. These isolates were further characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.Results: 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed on DNA isolated from suspected NTM cultures from 57 patients. Eight (14.8%) patients had NTM isolated from their sputa. (37.5%) of these patients had M. kansasii and 62.5% had M. avium complex. One patient with M. kansasii was sputum smear positive and met the stringent American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for NTM lung disease.Conclusion: 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis was performed on DNA isolated from suspected NTM cultures from 57 patients. Eight (14.8%) patients had NTM isolated from their sputa. (37.5%) of these patients had M. kansasii and 62.5% had M. avium complex. One patient with M. kansasii was sputum smear positive and met the stringent American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria for NTM lung disease.