Background

People with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) are at risk for infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Epidemiology and screening practice of NTM among pwCF in Germany are largely unknown.

Methods

We analyzed data of the German CF Registry from 2016 to 2020 for NTM. The annual prevalence and incidence of any NTM, Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC), M. avium complex (MAC), M. gordonae, and other mycobacteria were determined and correlated to patient characteristics. Patients with incident MABC and MAC infection were compared.

Results

The annual NTM prevalence and incidence remained stable between 7.53% and 8.76% as well as 3.31% and 4.95%, respectively, among the approximately 6,000 registry participants. MABC was the most common NTM, whereas only the prevalence of MAC increased slightly. In each year, only about one third of all patients were screened for NTM. NTM infections were associated with Aspergillus fumigatus infection and/or allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). On average, patients with incident MAC infection were older than patients with MABC.

Conclusions

The NTM burden in pwCF in Germany remained unchanged between 2016 and 2020. MABC was the dominant species detected, whereas only MAC infections increased with time and age. The known association of Aspergillus fumigatus and NTM was reaffirmed. Awareness of NTM needs to be improved.