Changing Incidence and Characteristics of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Infections in Scotland and Comparison With Complex Incidence (2011 to 2019).

Background: An increase in infections with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) has been noted globally, and their incidence has overtaken that of complex (MTBc) in many countries. Using data from a national reference laboratory, we aimed to determine if this trend could be observed in Scotland.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective review of all NTM isolates received by the Scottish Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory (SMRL) over 9 years from 2011 to 2019 inclusive.

Three year evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF in a low prevalence tuberculosis setting: A Scottish perspective.

Objectives: Xpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid) is a rapid molecular assay shown to be sensitive and specific for pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in highly endemic countries. We evaluated its diagnostic performance in a low TB prevalence setting, examined rifampicin resistance detection and quantitative capabilities predicting graded auramine microscopy and time to positivity (TTP) of culture.

Methods: Xpert MTB/RIF was used to test respiratory samples over a 3 year period.

Genotypic assessment of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Baghdad and other Iraqi provinces using low-cost and low-density DNA microarrays.

We report on a molecular investigation carried out to ascertain the prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and the specific gene mutations responsible for resistance to rifampicin (RIF) and/or isoniazid (INH) in Iraq. In total, 110 clinical isolates from category II TB cases from Baghdad (58%) and several Iraqi provinces (42%) were analysed using colorimetric, low-cost and low-density (LCD) microarrays (MYCO-Direct and MYCO-Resist LCD array kits) to identify the point mutations responsible for resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. We found 76 patients (69.

Rapid real-time PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissues: 16% of histological 'sarcoid' may contain such DNA.

Aims: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of IS6110 real-time PCR for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues using two different methods. In the absence of material submitted for tuberculosis (TB) culture, MTBC detection in FFPE tissue can be an important aid to diagnosis.

Methods: We collected 144 FFPE tissue blocks (lung and lymph node) for IS6110 real-time PCR.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a retrospective review of Scottish isolates from 2000 to 2010.

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.

Comparison of two in-house real-time PCR assays with MTB Q-PCR Alert and GenoType MTBDRplus for the rapid detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens.

An in-house IS6110 real-time PCR (IH IS6110), MTB Q-PCR Alert (Q-PCR) and GenoType MTBDRplus (MTBDR; Hain Lifescience) were compared for the direct detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in 87 specimens following automated NucliSENS easyMAG DNA extraction. This included 82 first smear-positive specimens and three smear-negative specimens. Another in-house real-time PCR with a Mycobacterium genus-specific probe for the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (IH ITS) was used to allow a full comparison with culture results.

Investigating transmission of Mycobacterium bovis in the United Kingdom in 2005 to 2008.

Due to an increase in bovine tuberculosis in cattle in the United Kingdom, we investigated the characteristics of Mycobacterium bovis infection in humans and assessed whether extensive transmission of M. bovis between humans has occurred. A cross-sectional study linking demographic, clinical, and DNA fingerprinting (using 15-locus mycobacterial interspersed repetitive-unit-variable-number tandem-repeat [MIRU-VNTR] typing) data on cases reported between 2005 and 2008 was undertaken.

Human and animal infections with Mycobacterium microti, Scotland.

During 1994-2005, we isolated Mycobacterium microti from 5 animals and 4 humans. Only 1 person was immunocompromised. Spoligotyping showed 3 patterns: vole type, llama type, and a new variant llama type.