Chou C.-H.Chen H.-Y.CHUNG-YU CHENCHUN-TA HUANGLai C.-C.PO-REN HSUEH2020-03-272020-03-2720100036-5548https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/480147This retrospective study investigated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with disseminated infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in Taiwan. Forty patients who fulfilled the criteria for disseminated NTM infection at a medical centre from January 2004 to December 2008 were analyzed. More than half of the patients (n 22, 55%) were HIV-infected and fever was the most common initial presentation (n 21, 52.5%). There were 13 episodes of co-infection with other bacterial pathogens in 11 patients (30%). The most common site of NTM isolation from culture was blood (62.5%), followed by respiratory tract (52.5%). Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common species (70%). The overall mortality rate due to disseminated NTM infection was 30%. Univariate survival analysis showed significantly higher mortality rates in female patients, patients without anti-NTM treatment and patients co-infected with other bacterial pathogens. Multivariate analysis showed that lack of anti-NTM treatment was the only prognostic factor for a poor outcome (p 0.001). In conclusion, maintaining a high level of suspicion and starting appropriate anti-NTM treatment promptly after diagnosis are crucial to improve outcome in patients with disseminated NTM infection. ? 2010 Informa Healthcare.[SDGs]SDG3adult; article; bacterium isolation; clinical article; clinical feature; controlled study; female; fever; human; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; male; mixed infection; mortality; mycobacteriosis; Mycobacterium; Mycobacterium avium; prognosis; Taiwan; treatment outcome; university hospital; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Blood; Comorbidity; Female; HIV Infections; Hospitals, University; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium avium Complex; Mycobacterium Infections, Atypical; Respiratory System; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Taiwan; Treatment Outcomejournal article10.3109/00365548.2010.519345208493642-s2.0-78650298949