MAI在外界环境中常见,存在于土壤、水和动物。[12]Horsburgh CR Jr. Epidemiology of Mycobacterium avium complex. Lung Biol Health Dis. 1996;87:1-22.它可以定植于自然界的水中,也可以定植于室内的水源、水池和热浴盆。[13]von Reyn CF, Maslow JN, Barber TW, et al. Persistent colonisation of potable water as a source of Mycobacterium avium infection in AIDS. Lancet. 1994;343:1137-1141.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7910236?tool=bestpractice.com然而,没有一种环境暴露或行为被确定为MAI疾病的危险因素。也未能识别感染的特殊途径。虽然不同地区MAI的流行率有所不同,但这种差异对疾病是否造成影响尚无定论。[8]O'Brien RJ, Geiter LJ, Snider DE. The epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacterial diseases in the United States: results from a national survey. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1987;135:1007-1014.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3579001?tool=bestpractice.com[14]Fordham von Reyn C, Arbeit RD, Tosteson AN, et al, and the International MAI Study Group. The international epidemiology of disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex infection in AIDS. AIDS. 1996;10:1025-1032.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8853737?tool=bestpractice.com
分枝杆菌为需氧的、无芽孢形成的、不运动的杆菌。[1]Good RC. Opportunistic pathogens in the genus mycobacterium. Annu Rev Microbiol. 1985;39:347-369.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3904604?tool=bestpractice.com它们的细胞壁包含长链糖脂,可以保护这些兼性胞内菌免受溶酶体的攻击。在固体培养基中生长缓慢,需培养10-21天。在液体培养基中可以更早地检测到(7-10天)。
MAI主要由2种菌构成:鸟分枝杆菌和胞内分枝杆菌。根据这些病原体细胞壁上的糖肽脂的组成,进一步行血清学分类。[2]Saito H, Tomioka H, Sato K, et al. Identification of various serovar strains of Mycobacterium avium complex by using DNA probes specific for Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare. J Clin Microbiol. 1990;28:1694-1697.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/28/8/1694?view=long&pmid=2203807http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2203807?tool=bestpractice.com
艾滋病患者发生的感染中有90%-95%是由鸟分枝杆菌引起的。[15]Benson CA. Disease due to the Mycobacterium avium complex in patients with AIDS: epidemiology and clinical syndrome. Clin Infect Dis. 1994;18:S218-S222.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8204773?tool=bestpractice.com血清型1型、4型和8型被认为是感染艾滋病患者最主要的病原菌。[16]Tsang AY, Denner JC, Brennan PJ, et al. Clinical and epidemiological importance of typing of Mycobacterium avium complex isolates. J Clin Microbiol. 1992;30:479-484.http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/reprint/30/2/479?view=long&pmid=1537920http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1537920?tool=bestpractice.com