Distribution and incidence of atypical mycobacteria in different provinces of Iran between ۲۰۱۸-۲۰۱۹ (before COVID-۱۹ pandemic) and ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱ (during COVID-۱۹ pandemic)

Backgrounded: The pathogenicity of Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacterium (NTM) is very important for humans. Due to the global spread of atypical mycobacteria, the identification and diagnosis of this type of mycobacteria is of particular importance. In addition to respiratory disease, this group has pathogenic power in lymph nodes, skin, soft tissues, bones, etc. The study of NTMs seems very necessary and vital because of their proven importance and effects on the general health of human communities. The aim of this study was to investigate the provincial distribution of the incidence of atypical mycobacteria between ۲۰۱۹-۲۰۱۸ (before the COVID-۱۹ pandemic) and ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱ (during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic). Method: This study was performed on pulmonary and extrapulmonarysamples isolated from patients with pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms between ۲۰۱۸ and ۲۰۲۱ (before and during the COVID-۱۹ pandemic). After isolation and culture of these samples using LJ medium, DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform method and the hsp۶۵ fragment was amplified by PCR-RFLP. Result: Our center, as a national tuberculosis reference center, received a total of ۱۶,۸۹۹ samples from different provinces of Iran. The results of this study showed an increase in the prevalence of NTMs in the country. the estimation of the geographical distribution of NTM a new appearance of RGM and SGM in five (Golestan, Mazandaran, Hamedan,Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Qom) and two (Gilan, Chaharmahal, and Bakhtiari) provinces of Iran, respectively. We had no pulmonary infection reports from these regions before the COVID-۱۹ pandemic. Conclusion: The appearances of NTM in new parts of the country can be alarming because they have isolatedfrom pulmonary infected cases

کلیدواژه ها:

atypical mycobacteria ، Mycobacterium tuberculosis ، non-tuberculous mycobacteria ، COVID-۱۹ pandemic