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Epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria, an emerging environmental pathogen
Citation:
Hilborn, E. Epidemiology of nontuberculous mycobacteria, an emerging environmental pathogen. Presented at TB and Mycobacterial Pathogens, New York, NY, April 17, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is an emerging group of environmental contaminants represented by M. avium on all three Contaminant Candidate Lists. This presentation will provide an overview of the epidemiology of NTM-associated disease, the ecology of the pathogens and current work on the epidemiology of NTM by ORD scientists.
Description:
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is an environmentally transmitted pathogen primarily associated with water and soil exposure. It is increasingly recognized in the developed world and may manifest as infection or colonization of multiple anatomic sites. Nontuberculous mycobacteriosis is not a reportable disease in the United States. However, NTM may be identified during the evaluation of biological samples for mycobacteria isolation and identification; these evaluations are commonly performed during the clinical diagnostic process when Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is suspected. The epidemiology of NTM is poorly characterized as the infection is chronic, sometimes indolent, and under recognized. Most NTM disease diagnosed in the US is associated with M. avium infection and affects the respiratory system. Worldwide, prevalent species may differ, but generally, older persons have higher rates of disease. An overview of the epidemiology of NTM will be provided along with an update on our current work to characterize NTM in a population-based surveillance activity. This abstract is of a proposed presentation and does not necessarily reflect EPA policy.