We studied 31 US healthcare facilities to characterize trends in mycobacterial testing. During 2009-2015, testing for acid-fast bacilli increased 3.2% annually, and prevalence of pathogenic nontuberculous mycobacteria increased 4.5% annually. These increases were highest for subpopulations at high risk of infection, including older women, Asians, and patients with concurrent conditions.
Keywords: NTM; United States; acid-fast bacilli; acid-fast bacilli testing; bacteria; electronic health records; epidemiology; nontuberculous mycobacteria; pulmonary disease; tuberculosis and other mycobacteria.