The genus Mycobacterium includes well-known bacteria such as causing tuberculosis and causing leprosy. Additionally, various species collectively termed non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause infections in humans and animals, affecting individuals across all age groups and health conditions. However, information on NTM infection prevalence in Panama is limited. This study conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical records from 2017 to 2021, specifically focusing on patients with NTM isolates. Data were categorized by variables like sex, age, HIV status, and sample source. Among the 4430 clinical records analyzed, 698 were linked to patients with NTM isolates. Of these patients, 397 were male, and 301 were female. Most female patients with NTM isolates (n = 190) were aged >45 to 85 years, while most male patients (n = 334) fell in the >25 to 75 years age group. A noteworthy proportion of male patients (n = 65) were aged 25–35 years. A significant age difference between male (median [min-max] = 53 years [3–90]) and female (median [61 years [6–94]) patients was observed (p < 0.001). Regarding HIV status, 77 positive individuals were male, and 19 were female (p < 0.001). Most samples (n = 566) were sputum samples, with additional pulmonary-associated samples such as broncho-alveolar lavage, tracheal secretions, and pleural fluid samples. Among extrapulmonary isolates (n = 48), sources included catheter secretions, intracellular fluids, peritoneal fluid, blood cultures, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow samples, and capillary transplant lesions. Specifically, the analysis identified the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for mycobacteriosis in Panama during the specific period 2017–2021, as (34.4%), (20.06%), and (13.75%), respectively. This study highlights the growing public health concern of NTM infections in Panama. The research provides valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of NTM species in the country, offering a foundation for the development and implementation of effective prevention and control strategies for NTM infections in Panama.

中文翻译：

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巴拿马非结核分枝杆菌分离株：5 年回顾性分析（2017-2021 年）

分枝杆菌属包括众所周知的细菌，例如引起结核病和引起麻风病的细菌。此外，统称为非结核分枝杆菌 (NTM) 的各种物种可引起人类和动物感染，影响所有年龄段和健康状况的个体。然而，有关巴拿马 NTM 感染流行率的信息有限。本研究对 2017 年至 2021 年的临床记录进行了回顾性分析，特别关注 NTM 分离株患者。数据按性别、年龄、艾滋病毒状况和样本来源等变量进行分类。在分析的 4430 份临床记录中，有 698 份与 NTM 分离株患者相关。其中，男性 397 例，女性 301 例。大多数 NTM 分离株女性患者 (n = 190) 年龄 > 45 至 85 岁，而大多数男性患者 (n = 334) 年龄 > 25 至 75 岁。值得注意的是，男性患者 (n = 65) 的比例为 25-35 岁。观察到男性（中位数[最小-最大] = 53岁[3-90]）和女性（中位数[61岁[6-94]）患者之间存在显着年龄差异（p < 0.001）。关于 HIV 状况，77 名阳性个体是男性，19 名是女性 (p < 0.001)。大多数样本 (n = 566) 是痰样本，还有其他肺部相关样本，如支气管肺泡灌洗液、气管分泌物和胸膜液样本。肺外分离株（n = 48）的来源包括导管分泌物、细胞内液、腹膜液、血培养物、脑脊液、骨髓样本和毛细血管移植病变。具体而言，分析确定了2017-2021年特定时期巴拿马分枝杆菌病的致病微生物分别为（34.4%）、（20.06%）和（13.75%）。这项研究凸显了巴拿马对 NTM 感染日益增长的公共卫生关注。该研究为了解该国 NTM 物种的流行和分布提供了宝贵的见解，为巴拿马制定和实施有效的 NTM 感染预防和控制策略奠定了基础。