Micobacteriose não tuberculosa pulmonar em hospital de referência no Estado do Pará: espécies mais frequentes, apresentação radiológica e evolução clínica

Abstract

The nontuberculous mycobacteria are present in environment and has been isolated from natural waters, soil, animals and water distribution systems. It’s characterized by the presence of mycolic acid in the cell wall. In general, the disease is acquired through inhalation of droplets containing mycobacteria. This disease can manifest itself in many ways as lymphadenitis, pulmonary, cutaneous and disseminated. They are opportunistic pathogens of variable pathogenicity. Immunity defects, local or systemic, are required to cause disease in humans. We evaluated epidemiological, clinical and radiological features of 44 cases with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteriosis at Hospital Universitário João de Barros Barreto. In addition, we treated and followed 21/44 (47,7%) patients during a period of six to seventeen months in a prospective cohort study. There was an increase more than 100% in the number of cases in 2010 when compared to previous years. The most frequently isolated mycobacterias were M. intracellulare (22.7%) and M. massiliense (20.5%). The conditions associated included previous treatment for tuberculosis (93.2%), bronchiectasis (59%), HIV (11.4%), asthma (9.1%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (9.1%). In general, there were no differences between NTM groups in radiological aspects, but when we analyzed chest radiographs, we found atelectasis more frequently in M. massiliense group vs. M. abscessus group. When we considered mycobacterial cultures, there was a good treatment outcome. Negative, persistent positive and positive after an initial negative culture occurred in 58,8%, 11,7% and 11,7% of patients, respectively. During the follow-up period, the death rate was 17,7%. Our data suggest that of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteriosis has become a disease with increasing importance in our region. Additionally, the response to treatment performed in major hospital has been quite satisfactory when compared to literature. However, it is necessary to follow these patients for a longer period to determine the actual success rate of our therapeutic approach.