Isolation and Identification of Mycobacterium chelonae from Human Sputum among Suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis Infections in Basra-Iraq

摘要: Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the frequency Mycobacterium Chelonae (M. chelonae) among tuberculosis suspected patients in Basra governorate and evaluate antimicrobial susceptibility. Methods: Isolation M. chelonae from 150 samples attended Advisory Clinic for Chest Diseases Respiratory (ACCDR) city, smears were stained with Ziehl Neelsen technique. Specimens inoculated on Lowenstein Jensen medium, Identification species level achieved basis growth characteristics. Drug susceptibility tested antibiotics (Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide Streptomycin) using proportional method. Results: sputum patients, sixteen (10.6%) Nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM), 16 NTM samples, 4 (2.6%) chelonae. results showed that all isolates resistance rifampicin, while one isolate intermediate ethambutol. All sensitive pyrazinamide, isoniazid streptomycin. Conclusion: present a high frequency, especially which requires confirmation follow-up, along examination patterns sensitivity, is an absolute necessity health centers Iraq.