Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infection in Wisconsin Adults and Its Relationship to Race and Social Disadvantage.

Rationale: Population-based data on the epidemiology of nontuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) infections are limited, particularly with respect to variation in NTM infection among racial groups and socioeconomic strata. Wisconsin is one of a handful of states where mycobacterial disease is notifiable, allowing large, population-based analyses of the epidemiology of NTM infection in this state. Objectives: To estimate the incidence of NTM infection in Wisconsin adults, describe the geographic distribution of NTM infection across the state, identify the frequency and type of infection caused by different NTM species, and investigate associations between NTM infection and demographics and socioeconomic status. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using laboratory reports of all NTM isolates from Wisconsin residents submitted to the Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System from 2011 to 2018. For the analyses of NTM frequency, multiple reports from the same individual were enumerated as separate isolates when nonidentical, collected from different sites or collected more than one year apart. Results: A total of 8,135 NTM isolates from 6,811 adults were analyzed. Mycobacterium avium complex accounted for 76.4% of respiratory isolates. The M. chelonae-abscessus group was the most common species isolated from skin and soft tissue. The annual incidence of NTM infection was stable over the study period (from 22.1 per 100,000 to 22.4 per 100,000). The cumulative incidence of NTM infection among Black (224 per 100,000) and Asian (244 per 100,000) individuals was significantly higher compared with that among their White counterparts (97 per 100,000). Total NTM infections were significantly more frequent (P < 0.001) in individuals from disadvantaged neighborhoods, and racial disparities in the incidence of NTM infection generally remained consistent when stratified by measures of neighborhood disadvantage. Conclusions: More than 90% of NTM infections were from respiratory sites, with the vast majority caused by M. avium complex. Rapidly growing mycobacteria predominated as skin and soft tissue pathogens and were important minor respiratory pathogens. We found a stable annual incidence of NTM infection in Wisconsin between 2011 and 2018. NTM infection occurred more frequently in non-White racial groups and in individuals experiencing social disadvantage, suggesting that NTM disease may be more frequent in these groups as well.

A Pediatric Infectious Disease Perspective on COVID-19.

This review highlights the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and neonates and contrasts these features with other common respiratory viruses. Although the majority of infections in children are mild, there are many important, as yet, unanswered questions (specifically, the attack rate in children and the role of children as vectors of infection) that will have a major impact on disease in adults. There are no distinctive clinical characteristics that will allow the infectious disease consultant to make the diagnosis without laboratory testing. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appears to be less common, with lower morbidity and mortality than respiratory syncytial virus or influenza, and causes less-severe disease in children with cancer than these more common viruses. The range of severity of infection during pregnancy is comparable to infection in nonpregnant cohorts. Intrauterine infection has been documented but is uncommon. A theme of less-severe disease in individuals with modulated immune systems is emerging.

Two Cases Illustrating the Diagnostic Challenge of Pediatric Blastomycosis Presenting as Osteomyelitis.

Blastomyces dermatitidis is a dimorphic fungus endemic to the United States and Canada. Although both Histoplasma and Blastomyces are found in similar geographic regions, Blastomyces is many times more likely to cause dissemination in the immunocompetent host, frequently involving the bone. However, given the indolent nature of this fungal infection and more prevalent bacterial etiologies of osteomyelitis, diagnosis and treatment are often significantly delayed. We review 2 pediatric cases that initially presented with isolated orthopedic symptoms without documented fever or pulmonary complaints, although both had signs of pulmonary infection on imaging. These cases demonstrate the importance of a high level of suspicion as well as appropriate diagnostic workup, including surgical pathology with fungal stains, when evaluating osteomyelitis in patients exposed to a Blastomyces-endemic region.