Distribution of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria strains and analysis of drug resistance in Lishui City, China

Authors

  • Henan Xu Tuberculosis Laboratory, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China; https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-3551
  • Zhongda Liu Department of Tuberculosis, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;
  • Congjuan Lai Tuberculosis Laboratory, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;
  • Li Lin Department of Tuberculosis, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;
  • Jing Guo Department of Tuberculosis, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;
  • Yutong Zhang Tuberculosis Laboratory, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;
  • Ying Zhang State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
  • Zunjing Zhang Department of Tuberculosis, Lishui Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Lishui 323020, Zhejiang, China;

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21596

Keywords:

non-tuberculous mycobacteria, gene chip, species identification, antimicrobial resistance

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the distribution and drug resistance of clinically isolated Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) strains in Lishui City, and to provide a basis for the development of NTM disease prevention and control strategies in the region.

Methodology: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using NTM-positive clinical specimens collected from patients at a sentinel tuberculosis hospital in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China, between January 2023 and December 2024. The isolated NTM strains were identified using a gene chip–based method. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the microbroth dilution method. Statistical analyses were applied to evaluate the isolation rate, species distribution, and drug-resistance patterns of the strains.

Results: The isolation rate of NTM among clinical patients at the sentinel hospital was 18.09% (157/868); The rate was significantly higher in women (26.97%, 72/267) than in men (14.14%, 85/601) (χ2 trend = 20.518, p < 0.001); Nine common NTM species were identified, with Mycobacterium intracellulare being the most prevalent (68.79%, 108/157), followed by Mycobacterium avium (11.46%, 18/157) and Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus (8.28%, 13/157). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates to several drugs, including imipenem (94.27%, 148/157), doxycycline (94.27%, 148/157), rifampicin (91.72%, 144/157), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (91.08%, 143/157), meropenem (89.81%, 141/157), cefoxitin (87.90%, 138/157), minocycline (85.99%, 135/157), and ciprofloxacin (85.99%, 135/157). Species-specific differences in resistance patterns were observed.

Conclusions: The distribution of clinically isolated NTM strains in Lishui City was dominated by Mycobacterium intracellular, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium chelonae/abscessus. These isolates demonstrated high levels of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial agents, highlighting the need for improved treatment and control strategies.

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Published

2026-03-31

How to Cite

1.
Xu H, Liu Z, Lai C, Lin L, Guo J, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang Z (2026) Distribution of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria strains and analysis of drug resistance in Lishui City, China. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:435–444. doi: 10.3855/jidc.21596

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 03: March 2026

Section

Original Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Henan Xu, Zhongda Liu, Congjuan Lai, Li Lin, Jing Guo, Yutong Zhang, Ying Zhang, Zunjing Zhang

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