Work

Analysis of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in Saudi children from a tertiary care hospital perspective

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We present a case series of six children who were infected with different species of Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and Mycobacterium riyadhense was the most prevalent isolate representing 50% of the total pathogens. Four of the reported cases were immunocompromised with disseminated NTM diseases and two were infected with M. avium , M. abscessus , and the other two infected with M. riyadhense . Most patients responded to medical therapy, except for the M. avium case, which was fatal despite combination therapy. Due to the presence of mycolic acid in the cell wall of NTM isolates, prolonged combination therapy is required for treatment, and in some cases, natural resistance may also emerge . Most of the patients reported in our study were immunocompetent. This suggests that NTM can infect children at various body sites regardless of immune status. We highlighted our experience in diagnosing and treating these patients, with special attention to M. riyadhense .

Source: Journal of Clinical Tuberculosis and Other Mycobacterial Diseases

DOI: 10.1016/j.jctube.2025.100554

Authors: Norah Abukhalid, Nabeel Alzahrani, Khaled Alsager, Banan Alsowailmi, Amjad Albawardi

Institutions: King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs

Language: English

Topic: Mycobacterium research and diagnosis

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,470