Abstract: Objective To investigate and analyze the distribution of bacterial strains and clinical characteristics of non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease in the Sichuan region in recent years, providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Method Medical records of patients diagnosed with NTM pulmonary disease at Chengdu Public Health Clinical Medical Center from January 2022 to December 2024 were collected. The species distribution and related clinical features of NTM pulmonary disease were analyzed. Result A total of 235 confirmed NTM pulmonary disease cases were collected. Male patients (141 cases, 60%) outnumbered female patients (94 cases, 40%), with the disease predominantly affecting individuals aged 60 years and above (134 cases, 57.02%). Among the 235 patients, 11 species of NTM were identified. The top three predominant species were Mycobacterium intracellulare (82 cases, 34.89%), Mycobacterium avium (55 cases, 23.40%), and Mycobacterium abscessus (51 cases, 21.70%). Common comorbidities of NTM pulmonary disease included a history of tuberculosis (64 cases, 27.23%), bronchiectasis (53 cases, 22.55%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (40 cases, 17.02%), HIV infection (34 cases, 14.47%), pneumoconiosis (15 cases, 6.38%), diabetes (15 cases, 6.38%), malignant tumors (8 cases, 3.40%), and rheumatic immune diseases (7 cases, 2.98%). Females were more likely to have bronchiectasis, while males were more prone to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumoconiosis, and HIV infection. The main clinical symptoms of NTM pulmonary disease were cough and expectoration (203 cases, 86.38%), hemoptysis (83 cases, 35.32%), shortness of breath (77 cases, 32.77%), fever (40 cases, 17.02%), weight loss (32 cases, 13.62%), and chest pain (18 cases, 7.66%). Females were more likely to experience hemoptysis, while males were more susceptible to fever and chest pain(P<0.05）. The primary imaging manifestations of NTM pulmonary disease included pulmonary nodules, cavities, bronchiectasis, emphysema, and pulmonary destruction. Males were more likely to exhibit emphysema and pulmonary destruction compared to females(P<0.05). Conclusion In the Sichuan region, NTM pulmonary disease is primarily caused by Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium avium, and Mycobacterium abscessus. Its clinical features resemble those of pulmonary tuberculosis. Timely and accurate identification of Mycobacterium species provides essential guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Key words: Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria, Non-tuberculous Mycobacterial pulmonary disease, Distribution of bacterial strains, Clinical features