RESUMO
OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence and trends of drug resistance of nontuberculous mycobacteria(NTM)in Shanghai.METHODS All NTM strains isolated between 1998 and 2004 in Shanghai were identified with conventional biochemical tests.Antimicrobial susceptibility test for all NTM was performed by standard absolute concentration method.RESULTS The prevalence rate was determined as 1.49%,1.17%,1.98%,2.46%,2.66%,2.72% and 3.0% among mycobacteria culture positive patients per year in 1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,and in 2004,respectively.These data indicated the prevalence rate has continuously increased.Distribution of NTM isolates was Group Ⅰ18.7%,Group Ⅱ 5.1%,Group Ⅲ 25.1%,and Group Ⅳ 51.1% accordingly.Group Ⅳ rapidly growing NTM accounted for majority of them.Most of NTM showed high drug resistance to general antituberculotic drug.In particular Group Ⅳ Mycobacterium chelonae and M.fortuitum appeared multi-drug resistance.CONCLUSIONS The prevalence rate of NTM in Shanghai shows increased tendency.Most of NTM isolates are Group Ⅳ rapidly growing NTM.NTM shows high drug resistance to first line antituberculotic substance.