Distribution of nontuberculous Mycobacteria among presumptive drug resistance tuberculosis patients from a ministry of health drug resistance surveillance program, in western Kenya.

Introduction: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) species are emerging pathogens causing Pulmonary diseases with no definitive treatment. Molecular techniques enable characterization and drug resistance profiling, this study sought to determine NTM prevalence, circulating species, and distribution factors among presumptive multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in western Kenya.

Method: Sputum samples were collected between March through October 2022, and transported for testing at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) TB laboratory, in Kisumu.