[The incidence of atypical pulmonary mycobacterium infections in Reunion before the era of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)].

The authors analyzed cases of pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection observed in the Reunion Island between 1979 and 1986, before any reported case of AIDS in the Island. Isolation of non tuberculous mycobacteria from bronchopulmonary specimens was estimated at 21.4% among all positive cultures (n = 971). The analysis of clinical and biological data from 791 different patients with a positive culture concluded to the responsibility of a non tuberculous mycobacteria in 117 (14.8%); among these 117, only 10 (8.5%) were considered as pathogen. Species repartition, antituberculous drug sensitivity and clinical out come are discussed.