Spatial Clusters of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease in the United States

• DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201205-0913oc
• Publication Date: 2012-07-07T01:20:28Z
• Authors: Jennifer Adjemian; Kenneth N. Olivier; Amy E. Seitz; Joseph O. Falkinham; Steven M. Holland; D. Rebecca Prevots
• Keywords: Spatial epidemiology

Prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease varies by geographic region, yet the factors driving these differences remain largely unknown.To identify spatial clusters PNTM at county level and to describe environmental sociodemographic predictive disease.PNTM cases identified from a nationally representative sample Medicare Part B beneficiaries 1997 2007 were geocoded state residence. County-level case counts population data then uploaded into SaTScan significant low-risk areas disease. High-risk counties compared differences.We seven (P < 0.05) cases. These high-risk encompassed 55 in 8 states, including parts California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin. Five also identified, which 746 23 mostly Midwest. Counties significantly larger, had greater densities, higher education income levels than counties. mean daily potential evapotranspiration percentages covered surface water, more likely have copper sodium soil, although lower manganese levels.Specific related soil water exposure appear increase risk infection. Still, given that sources NTM are ubiquitous is rare, both host susceptibility must be considered explaining development.