2124. The Epidemiology, Demographics, and Geographical Distribution of Human Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) Disease in the Endemic Central Florida Region

BACKGROUND: Of the >100,000 people in the United States infected yearly with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM), Florida has the highest yearly incidence and prevalence of NTM disease. However, little has been documented on the epidemiology and distribution of NTM disease within Central Florida. METHODS: A retrospective case review study was conducted from January, 2011 to December, 2017 at a large tertiary acute care medical center in Tampa, Florida to identify all NTM infection cases. Demographics (age, sex at birth, ethnicity), comorbidities, HIV testing status, residential zip code, NTM species, and specimen sources were collected. RESULTS: Of the 507 isolates, Mycobacterium abscessus group was the most common (45.4%; n = 230), and contained M. abscessus spp. abscessus (34.5%; n = 175), M. abscessus spp. massilense (8.7%; n = 44), and M. abscessus spp. bolletii (1.18%; n = 6). Other rapid growers were M. fortuitum species (6.9%; n = 35) and M. chelonae (2.56%; n = 13). Of the slower growers, M. gordonae (19.9%; n = 101) and M. avium complex (8.28%; n = 42) were the most common. Of the M. avium complex, M. chimera was most common (4.9%; n = 25). Samples were mostly isolated from sputum (51.7%; n = 262), bronchial lavage (26%; n = 132), skin and soft tissue (11%; n = 58), and blood (7.1%; n = 36). Of the 361 unique patients, average age was 59.2 years (12 to 95 years), with 47.6% (n = 172) greater than 65 years of age, and mostly male 57.9% (n = 208). Caucasians represented 73.4% (n = 265) of our cohort, and African Americans and Hispanics represented 16.3% (n = 59) and 6.8% (n = 24), respectively. Most cases were in those residing outside the Tampa Bay metro area 81.2% (n = 293/361). Notable comorbidities included COPD (n = 83), cystic fibrosis (n = 41), lung transplant (n = 40), heart transplant (n = 12), pulmonary fibrosis (n = 12), and renal transplant (n = 7). A total of 145 individuals received HIV testing at the hospital facility, and of these 44 individuals were living with HIV. CONCLUSION: This study identified a diversity of NTM species across a wide geographical and demographic distribution in the endemic Central Florida region. M. abscessus group had the highest prevalence. This is valuable in understanding which populations are at risk for developing NTM infection in this area of Florida. [Image: see text] [Image: see text] [Image: see text] [Image: see text] DISCLOSURES: All authors: No reported disclosures.