OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical characteristics of the patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis and observe the distribution and drug resistance of clinical isolates.

METHODS A total of 104 patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis who were treated in Wuxi Fifth People′s Hospital from May 2020 to Feb 2023 were recruited as the research subjects. The baseline data of the patients, clinical characteristics, distribution and drug resistance of the clinical isolates were observed.

RESULTS Among the patients with non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis, 77.88% had cough and expectoration, and 27.88% had fever. 31.73% were complicated with pulmonary emphysema, and 23.08% were complicated with bronchiectasis. 100.00% had patches and nodules, 81.73% had changes in bronchiectasia, and 51.92% had cavities. Totally 104 strains of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria were isolated, 44.23% of which were Mycobacterium intracellulare, 25.00% were Mycobacteria chelonae subsp. abscessus, 12.50% were Mycobacterium avium, and 10.58% were Mycobacterium kansasii. The drug resistance rates of the major species of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria to isoniazid, streptomycin, amikacin and aminosalicylic acid were 100.00%.

CONCLUSION The non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis can be diagnosed in a timely manner by etiological culture, clinical symptoms, complications and imaging findings. M.intracellulare, Mycobacteria chelonae subsp. abscessus, M.avium and M.kansasii are the predominant species of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria. It is necessary to carry out the targeted antibacterial treatment based on the result of drug susceptibility testing.