A71-01 Global Prevalence of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Adults With Non-cystic Fibrosis Bronchiectasis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

The relationship between NTM pulmonary infection and bronchiectasis is complex. Bronchiectasis may predispose patients to NTM infection, while chronic NTM infection can in turn aggravate airway damage. Over recent decades, NTM isolation rates have increased, partly due to advances in microbiological techniques and more frequent testing in patients with chronic airway diseases.This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to accurately estimate the global prevalence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in adults with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis clinical patients in the last 20 years, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines.

Methods

We included observational studies in which patients were adults >18 years with non-CF bronchiectasis and were reported the prevalence of NTM isolation in respiratory samples. Two reviewers screened the titles, abstracts and full texts independently. Relevant information was extracted and curated into tables. Risk of bias was evaluated following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. Meta-analyses were conducted in R (version 2024) using the meta and metafor packages. Effect sizes were pooled with a random-effects model, considering the high heterogeneity expected.

Results

were expressed as prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed with I² statistic.

Results

Of all 2178 studies screened, 23 met inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria isolation among patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis between 2006 and 2024 was approximately 10%. The most frequently reported species included members of the Mycobacterium avium complex and M. abscessus. Interpretation: Substantial heterogeneity across studies highlights the importance of interpreting pooled estimates with caution, mainly because of local epidemiology, clinical practices and diagnostic ability, which are key modifiers of prevalence estimates.Key words: nontuberculous mycobacteria, bronchiectasis, prevalence.

This abstract is funded by: None