Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterial isolates from Panama: A retrospective 5-year analysis (2017-2021).

BACKGROUND: The genus Mycobacterium includes well-known bacteria such as M. tuberculosis causing tuberculosis and M. leprae causing leprosy. Additionally, various species collectively termed non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can cause infections in humans and animals, affecting individuals across all age groups and health conditions. However, information on NTM infection prevalence in Panama is limited. METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical records from 2017 to 2021, specifically focusing on patients with NTM isolates. Data were categorized by variables like sex, age, HIV status, and sample source. RESULTS: Among the 4430 clinical records analyzed, 698 were linked to patients with NTM isolates. Of these patients, 397 were male, and 301 were female. Most female patients with NTM isolates (n = 190) were aged >45 to 85 years, while most male patients (n = 334) fell in the >25 to 75 years age group. A noteworthy proportion of male patients (n = 65) were aged 25-35 years. A significant age difference between male (median [min-max] = 53 years [3-90]) and female (median [61 years [6-94]) patients was observed (p < 0.001). Regarding HIV status, 77 positive individuals were male, and 19 were female (p < 0.001). Most samples (n = 566) were sputum samples, with additional pulmonary-associated samples such as broncho-alveolar lavage, tracheal secretions, and pleural fluid samples. Among extrapulmonary isolates (n = 48), sources included catheter secretions, intracellular fluids, peritoneal fluid, blood cultures, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow samples, and capillary transplant lesions. Specifically, the analysis identified the pathogenic microorganisms responsible for mycobacteriosis in Panama during the specific period 2017-2021, as M. fortuitum (34.4%), M. intracellulare (20.06%), and M. abscessus (13.75%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the growing public health concern of NTM infections in Panama. The research provides valuable insights into the prevalence and distribution of NTM species in the country, offering a foundation for the development and implementation of effective prevention and control strategies for NTM infections in Panama.

Human Lobomycosis Caused by Paracoccidioides (Lacazia) loboi, Panama, 2022.

We report a patient from Panama who had lobomycosis caused by Paracoccidioides (Lacazia) loboi. We used combined clinical-epidemiologic and phylogenetic data, including a new gene sequence dataset on this fungus in Panama, for analysis. Findings contribute useful insights to limited knowledge of this fungal infection in the Mesoamerican Biologic Corridor.

[Dermatology in the tropics]. / Dermatologia en el tropico.

The Author reviews the cases diagnosed in the Republic of Panama of Mycetoma, Paracoccidioidosis, Lobo's disease, Chromomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Rhinosporidiosis, Sporotrichosis, Lepra, Rhinoscleroma, and cutaneous and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis, and mentions the observed clinical manifestations in order to familiarize young physicians with the tropical dermatopathology which occurs in the rural areas of the country.

Dermatologia en el tropico / Dermatology in the tropics

The Author reviews the cases diagnosed in the Republic of Panama of Mycetoma, Paracoccidioidosis, Lobo's disease, Chromomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Rhinosporidiosis, Sporotrichosis, Lepra, Rhinoscleroma, and cutaneous and mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis, and mentions the observed clinical manifestations in order to familiarize young physicians with the tropical dermatopathology which occurs in the rural areas of the country