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Occurrence Revisited: Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in potable water in the USA
Citation:
Pfaller, S., D. King, J. Mistry, AND M. Donohue. Occurrence Revisited: Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in potable water in the USA. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. Springer, New York, NY, 106:2715–2727, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-022-11849-7
Impact/Purpose:
Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare belong to the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and are two clinically significant bacteria that can cause infections and diseases in humans. These bacteria are opportunistic water-borne pathogens that are highly resistant to water treatment processes and chemical disinfection. This study used two methods, culture and qPCR, to investigate M. avium and M. intracellulare occurrence and prevalence in drinking water samples obtained from homes and other buildings. Water samples were collected from around the United States at 40 sites (10 homes and 30 other buildings) at either one or two taps per site. Four water quality types were represented in this sampling. MAC was detected in 52% (152/292) of water samples by one or both methods. M. avium and M. intracellulare were detected in 24% (70/292) and 35% (101/292) of samples, respectively. The mean concentrations of M. avium and M. intracellulare were 3.97x 103 and 1.40 x 105 target copies per liter. Other buildings had higher detection rates for MAC than homes. Also, the MAC detection rate of 55% (48/88) was higher in samples from surface waters treated with chloramine than surface waters treated with chlorine, 34% (40/116). Both M. avium and M. intracellulare were present in more locations and at higher concentrations than reported in the previous NTM occurrence study conducted in 1996. This increase in the occurrence of these pathogens in drinking water may be contributing to the increase in NTM disease prevalence reported in the United States.
Description:
Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare belong to the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and are two clinically significant bacteria that can cause infections and diseases in humans. These bacteria are opportunistic water-borne pathogens that are highly resistant to water treatment processes and chemical disinfection. This study used two methods, culture and qPCR, to investigate M. avium and M. intracellulare occurrence and prevalence in drinking water samples obtained from homes and other buildings. Water samples were collected from around the United States at 40 sites (10 homes and 30 other buildings) at either one or two taps per site. Four water quality types were represented in this sampling. MAC was detected in 52% (152/292) of water samples by one or both methods. M. avium and M. intracellulare were detected in 24% (70/292) and 35% (101/292) of samples, respectively. The mean concentrations of M. avium and M. intracellulare were 3.97x 103 and 1.40 x 105 target copies per liter. Other buildings had higher detection rates for MAC than homes. Also, the MAC detection rate of 55% (48/88) was higher in samples from surface waters treated with chloramine than surface waters treated with chlorine, 34% (40/116). Both M. avium and M. intracellulare were present in more locations and at higher concentrations than reported in the previous NTM occurrence study conducted in 1996. This increase in the occurrence of these pathogens in drinking water may be contributing to the increase in NTM disease prevalence reported in the United States.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Occurrence Revisited: Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare in potable water in the USA
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