ENTM Information for Health Professionals:
Sentinel Surveillance and Reporting

On October 1, 2019, MDH initiated laboratory-based extrapulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (ENTM) surveillance throughout the state of Minnesota. At this time, ENTM is reportable for all Minnesota residents by the laboratory that identifies the organism.

On this page:
What to report 
How to report
Isolate submission and laboratory testing
Reporting: proposal and notification letters
More information and resources

What to report

• All patients with ENTM infection who are Minnesota residents must be reported to MDH within one working day after the test result is finalized. 
  
   
• Identification of ENTM requires special laboratory equipment and techniques. All labs that have the capability to identify ENTM are required to report.
  
   
• Webex Recording: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Newly Reportable to MDH (44 minutes)
  Recorded on Oct. 31, 2019
  Slides: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) Newly Reportable to MDH (PDF)

How to report

• Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR)
  For any health system that has a previously established ELR feed with the Minnesota Department of Health, ENTM should be reported via ELR.
  
   
• Yellow Disease Report Card
  ENTM may be reported using the MDH "Yellow Card."
  
   
• Phone
  Any reportable infectious disease may be reported by phone to 651-201-5414 or 877-676-5414.

Isolate submission and laboratory testing

• Isolate Submission: ENTM Information for Health Professionals
  At this time, MDH is not requesting routine ENTM isolate submission. If apparent clusters or outbreaks of ENTM infection are occurring, MDH may request specific isolates.

Reporting: proposal and notification letters

• Proposal for Conducting Sentinel Surveillance for Extrapulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (ENTM) under the Minnesota Communicable Disease Rule (4605.7046) (PDF)
  The proposal explaining the rationale for this change. The Commissioner of Health has the authority to select infectious disease/syndromes and reporting sites for sentinel surveillance per Minn. Rules 4605.7046.
• Commissioner's Letter to Minnesota Hospital and Reference Laboratories Regarding Reporting of Extrapulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (ENTM), October 1, 2019 (PDF)

More about infectious disease reporting

• Infectious Disease Reporting
  Find out which infectious diseases must be reported by law in Minnesota, who is required to report diseases, how each disease can be reported, and download the appropriate forms.

More information and resources

• CDC: Clinical Overview of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM)
• CSTE: Standardized Case Definition for Extrapulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections (PDF)