Ethio-nosologic opportunism in tropical, emergency and re-emergency diseases in Albania

the presence of ParaNitroBenzoic acid and their ability to grow at different temperatures, 25 ◦C, 37 ◦C and 45 ◦C. DNA was extracted and rRNA gene amplified by PCR. Amplicons were sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics. Species were identified. Results: Out of total of 963 NTM isolates from sputum samples, 81 were analyzed using 16S ribosequencing. Forty isolates (49.4%) were found to belong to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) species. The other 41 isolates (50.6%) were identified as M. lentiflavum (6.2%), M. terrae complex (4.9%), M. paraense (4.9%), M. kansasii (3.7%), M. moriokaense (3.7%), M. asiaticum (2.5%), M. novocastrense (2.5%), M. brasiliensis (2.5%), M. elephantis (2.5%), M. paraffinicum (1.2%), M. bohemicum (1.2%), M. manitobense (1.2%), M. intermedium (1.2%), M. tuberculosis complex (1.2%), M. parakoreense (1.2%), M. florentinum (1.2%), M. litorale (1.2%), M. fluoranthenivorans (1.2%), M. sherrisii (1.2%), M. fortuitum (1.2%) and M septicum (1.2%). Two isolates (2.5%) could not be identified, but were closely related to M. montefiorense and M. phlei respectively. Conclusion: Interestingly, the MAC species were the commonest NTM during the survey. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the true diversity of NTM in Zimbabwe.