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National atypical mycobacteria survey, 2000
Frank Haverkort1, ,
1Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Western Australian Centre for Pathology and Medical Research (PathCentre), Locked Bag 2009, Nedlands WA 6909. frank.haverkort@health.wa.gov.au
Communicable Diseases Intelligence Quarterly Report
|August 21, 2003
Summary
Atypical mycobacterial infections in Australia (2000) primarily affected the respiratory tract, soft tissue, and lymphatics. Mycobacterium avium complex and rapidly growing mycobacteria were the most frequent pathogens, with geographical variations observed.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Atypical mycobacteria cause significant human infections.
- Understanding their epidemiology is crucial for public health.
- Australia reported atypical mycobacterial infections in 2000.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of atypical mycobacterial infections in Australia.
- To identify common species and affected sites.
- To note geographical variations in isolation.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of infection data from Australia in 2000.
- Identification of mycobacterial species.
- Analysis of disease sites and geographical distribution.
Main Results:
- The incidence rate was 1.8 cases per 100,000 population.
- Respiratory tract, soft tissue, and lymphatics were primary infection sites.
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) was common in respiratory and lymphatic infections.
- Rapidly growing mycobacteria (M. fortuitum-M. abscessus-M. chelonae group) predominated in soft tissue infections.
- Geographical variations included M. haemophilum in Western Australia and M. ulcerans in Victoria and Queensland.
- Atypical mycobacteria were found in sputum samples, necessitating differentiation from M. tuberculosis.
Conclusions:
- Atypical mycobacteria represent a diverse group of pathogens with varied clinical presentations and geographical distributions in Australia.
- The study highlights the importance of accurate identification, especially differentiating from M. tuberculosis.
- Emerging molecular techniques offer improved identification but raise further ecological questions.