Long-Term Case-Fatality Rate of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease in People Living with HIV

Abstract

Background Few data are available regarding the long-term case-fatality rate (CFR) among people living with HIV (PLWH) with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease. Objectives To analyze the long-term CFR in patients with NTM disease and to identify risk factors for their death. Methods A retrospective cohort study of 379 cases of microbiologically confirmed NTM disease in PLWH was conducted during January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2020 in Shanghai, China. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test to compare long-term CFR in patients with disseminated NTM (DNTM) and localized NTM disease. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and stepwise Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to estimate the predictors of long-term CFR. Results The cohort was follow-up for a median of 26 months. The total CFR was 15.7% by one year and increased to 22.6% at 5 years after the diagnosis of NTM disease. The 5-year CFR of PLWH with DNTM was significantly higher than that of localized NTM (26.7% vs. 19.6% for DNTM and localized NTM disease, respectively). Older age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.06, P < 0.001), comorbidity (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.21-3.49, P < 0.01), DNTM (HR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.17-3.68, P < 0.05), and HIV viral load (HR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.12-1.55, P < 0.001) were all independent risk factors of long-term CFR. In the subgroup analysis, time to culture positivity was negatively correlated with CFR in patients with DNTM (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.98, P < 0.05). Conclusions NTM was associated with significantly high long-term CFR in PLWH. Further approaches to prevent NTM disease in PLWH are urgently needed.