title: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a retrospective review of Scottish isolates from 2000 to 2010.
abstract: There is growing recognition of the clinical importance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a group of versatile opportunistic bacterial pathogens. We describe the characteristics of NTM isolates in Scotland over an 11-year period using data held by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory. American Thoracic Society microbiological criteria were used to evaluate the clinical significance of isolates. Data presented include analysis of trends across time, species/body site associations, gender and age differences, geographical variations and the association between cystic fibrosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. We emphasise the need for standardised reporting criteria for NTM isolates to ensure optimal surveillance of NTM disease.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Clark D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Claxton
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doig
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Amie-Louise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Seagar
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rayner
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
authors.forename: Ian F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Laurenson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012015:Reference Standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Atypical Mycobacterial Infection; Respiratory Infection