Incidence and clinical significance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria among migrants in Denmark: A nationwide register-based cohort study from 1991 through 2021

Background: There is limited knowledge about non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections in migrants. We aimed to assess the incidence and clinical significance of NTM among migrants in Denmark. Method: Nationwide register-based cohort study of migrants with a positive NTM culture in Denmark from 1991 through 2021, stratified by patient demographics, disease localisation, species, and clinical significance. Results: 433 migrants had a positive NTM culture, resulting in an overall incidence rate (IR) of 3.7 (95%CI 3.3–4.0) per 100,000 migrants. Overall NTM IRs for definite disease were 1.0 (95%CI 0.9–1.2), possible disease 1.0 (95%CI 0.8–1.2), and isolation 1.7 (95%CI 1.4–1.9) per 100,000 migrants. Migrants had considerably higher age- and sex-adjusted NTM IRs of positive cultures (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 2.1, 95%CI 1.9–2.3, p