High incidence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria-positive cultures among adolescent with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Background: We evaluated the prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM)-positive cultures among our cystic fibrosis (CF) center patients, reviewed risk factors for NTM positivity, and determined its impact on lung function evolution.

Methods: From 2009 to 2014, CF adults and children attending the CF center of Lyon (France) and having at least one positive NTM isolate were included. Each case was matched by age and gender with two CF patients with no NTM isolate (controls).

Results: 48 CF patients with NTM-positive isolates were matched to 96 controls. The age group for whom incident NTM was higher was young adolescents aged 13 to 17. A significant association for NTM positivity was found with Staphylococcusaureus in multivariate analysis and with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, corticosteroid and itraconazole in univariate analysis. Mean annual FEV1 decline was faster for NTM-positive patients compared to controls.

Conclusion: These data highlight the high incidence of NTM-positive cultures among young adolescents with CF.

Keywords: Cystic fibrosis; Mycobacterium abscessus; Mycobacterium avium; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Pulmonary disease.