Import and transmission of Mycobacterium orygis and Mycobacterium africanum, Norway.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to improve our understanding of the origins and transmission of Mycobacterium africanum (MAF) in Norway. METHODS: Whole-genome sequences (WGS) were generated for all (n = 29) available clinical isolates received at the Norwegian National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria (NRL) and identified as MAF in Norway, in the period 2010-2020. Phylogenetic analyses were performed. RESULTS: The analyses indicated several imports of MAF lineage 6 from both East and West African countries, whereas MAF lineage 5 was restricted to patients with West African connections. We also find evidence for transmission of MAF in Norway. Finally, our analyses revealed that a group of isolates from patients originating in South Asia, identified as MAF by means of a commercial line-probe assay, in fact belonged to Mycobacterium orygis. CONCLUSIONS: Most MAF cases in Norway are the result of import, but transmission is occurring within Norway.

Clinical and host genetic characteristics of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases in Japan.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate clinical characteristics and genetic backgrounds of Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases (MSMD) in Japan. METHODS: Forty-six patients diagnosed as having MSMD were enrolled in this study. All patients were analyzed for the IFNGR1, IFNGR2, IL12B, IL12RB1, STAT1, and NEMO gene mutations known to be associated with MSMD. RESULTS: Six patients and one patient were diagnosed as having partial interferon-γ receptor 1 deficiency and nuclear factor-κB-essential modulator deficiency, respectively. Six of the seven patients had recurrent disseminated mycobacterial infections, while 93% of the patients without these mutations had only one episode of infection. CONCLUSIONS: The patients with a genetic mutation were more susceptible to developing recurrent disseminated mycobacterial infections. Recurrent disseminated mycobacterial infections occurred in a small number of patients even without these mutations, suggesting the presence of as yet undetermined genetic factors underlying the development and progression of this disease.

Outbreak of Mycobacterium abscessus wound infections among "lipotourists" from the United States who underwent abdominoplasty in the Dominican Republic.

BACKGROUND: Some US residents travel abroad to undergo cosmetic surgery for fat removal, a practice referred to as "lipotourism." Mycobacterium abscessus can cause postsurgical wound infection. METHODS: US residents who developed M. abscessus wound infection after undergoing cosmetic surgery in the Dominican Republic in 2003 and 2004 were identified using the Emerging Infections Network listserv. RESULTS: Twenty returning US travelers with M. abscessus infection were detected. Eight patients had matching isolates, as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and repetitive element polymerase chain reaction. All 8 patients, who had previously been healthy Hispanic women, underwent abdominoplasties at the same clinic in the Dominican Republic. Symptoms first developed 2-18 weeks after the procedure (median interval, 7 weeks). Only 2 of the 8 patients received a correct diagnosis at the initial presentation. Most patients presented with painful, erythematous, draining subcutaneous abdominal nodules. Seven patients underwent drainage procedures. Six patients received a combination of antibiotics that included a macrolide plus cefoxitin, imipenem, amikacin, and/or linezolid; 2 received clarithromycin monotherapy. All patients but 1 were cured after a median of 9 months of therapy (range, 2-12 months). Because of a lack of access to the surgical clinic, the cause of the outbreak of infection was not identified. The patients who were infected with nonmatching isolates underwent surgeries in different facilities but otherwise had demographic characteristics and clinical presentations similar to those of the 8 patients infected with matching isolates. CONCLUSIONS: This case series of M. abscessus infection in US "lipotourists" highlights the risks of traveling abroad for surgery and the potential role of the Internet in identifying and investigating outbreaks.

Boosting of tuberculin sensitivity among Southeast Asian refugees.

Following an initial negative Mantoux tuberculin skin test, a second test, given as soon as 1 wk later, has been shown to elicit markedly larger reactions (boosting) in 20 to 40% of refugees tested in the United States. We conducted a study to determine the explanation for this phenomenon. Using the Mantoux method of intradermal skin testing, 2,469 refugees from Southeast Asia were initially tested with tuberculin followed by sequential retesting 7 and/or 90 d later. They were also tested initially with nontuberculous mycobacterial antigens. A high proportion (35.5%) of Southeast Asian refugees had reactions (> or = 10 mm induration) to an initial tuberculin test, and 30.9% of the nonreactors exhibited boosting on a subsequent tuberculin test. Boosting, unlike reactivity to the initial tuberculin test, was not associated with exposure to a person with tuberculosis. However, boosting was associated with reactivity to nontuberculous mycobacterial antigens and a history of bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination. Boosting in this population is therefore attributable to environmental exposure to nontuberculous mycobacteria that are endemic in Southeast Asia or to BCG vaccination, rather than to remote infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Sequential tuberculin screening and preventive therapy of persons with boosted reactions is not recommended as a tuberculosis prevention strategy in this population.

Isolation of mycobacteria from patients seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in south east England: 1984-92.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections are well recognised complications of HIV infection and surveillance is thus required. METHODS: All mycobacteria isolated from HIV positive subjects and referred to the Public Health Laboratory Service South East Regional Tuberculosis Centre (SERTC) from the first such case in 1984 until the end of 1992 were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 803 mycobacteria isolated from 727 HIV positive subjects were referred to the SERTC during the study period. A single species was isolated from 660 patients: 150 members of the tuberculosis complex (146 M tuberculosis, two M bovis, and two M africanum), 356 M avium-intracellulare (MAI), and 154 other environmental mycobacteria. More than one mycobacterium was isolated from 67 patients. In 12 cases M tuberculosis and MAI were isolated from the same patient, almost always in that sequence, with an interval of 8-41 months between isolations. Most of the 407 isolates of MAI (74%) were considered to be clinically significant and often caused disseminated disease. In other cases single isolates of MAI were obtained from sputum or faeces and occasionally such isolates preceded disseminated disease by several months. Only 33 (14%) of the 229 isolates of environmental mycobacteria other than MAI were considered clinically significant. CONCLUSIONS: HIV related mycobacterial disease is increasing in incidence in south east England. Further studies are required to determine the significance of single isolates of MAI and other environmental mycobacteria as a guide to the need for preventive chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

Cutaneous infections in blacks.

We have described briefly a variety of cutaneous infections seen commonly but not exclusively in blacks. Some disorders are prevalent in blacks because of geography (high temperatures, humidity), environment, and low socioeconomic status causing over-crowding, malnutrition, and poor or delayed access to medical care. Only a few occur as a result of the unique way black hair or skin responds to trauma or infection. Physicians managing black patients with dermatologic problems should be aware of and must consider all the factors that initiate, aggravate, and perpetuate cutaneous responses under these conditions.