Abstract
BackgroundNontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens found in natural and human-engineered waters, including drinking water distribution systems and household plumbing. This pilot study examined the frequency of occurrence of NTM in household potable water samples in Mexico City. Potable water samples were collected from the “main house faucet” and kitchen faucet. The presence of aerobic-mesophilic bacteria (AMB), total coliforms (TC), fecal coliforms (FC) and NTM species were determined. Mycobacteria species were identified by PCR restriction enzyme pattern analysis (PRA) of the 65-kDa heat shock protein gene (hsp65) and sequencing of the hypervariable region 2 (V2) of the 16S rRNA gene and of the rpoB gene.ResultsAMB (<100 CFU/ml) were present in 118 out of 120 samples; only two samples were outside guidelines ranges (>100 CFU/ml). TC and FC were detected in four and one samples, respectively. NTM species were recovered from 16% samples (19/120) and included M. mucogenicum (nine), M. porcinum (three), M. avium (three), M. gordonae (one), M. cosmeticum (one), M. fortuitum (one), and Mycobacterium sp (one). All household water samples that contained NTM complied with the standards required to grade the water as “good quality” potable water.ConclusionHousehold potable water may be a potential source of NTM infection in Mexico City.
Highlights
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens found in natural and human-engineered waters, including drinking water distribution systems and household plumbing
The majority of mycobacteria species belong to the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) group and most of them can be isolated from the environment [2]; they are opportunistic pathogens that may cause life-threatening infections in humans [2]
The growth of NTM in biofilms may lead to their dissemination into bulk water; people may be exposed to these mycobacteria when drinking, bathing, and showering
Summary
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental opportunistic pathogens found in natural and human-engineered waters, including drinking water distribution systems and household plumbing. This pilot study examined the frequency of occurrence of NTM in household potable water samples in Mexico City. The majority of mycobacteria species belong to the nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) group and most of them can be isolated from the environment [2]; they are opportunistic pathogens that may cause life-threatening infections in humans [2]. The growth of NTM in biofilms may lead to their dissemination into bulk water; people may be exposed to these mycobacteria when drinking, bathing, and showering (inhalation of aerosols). NTM species have been isolated from hospital water samples including tap water, shower water and aerosolized shower mist [9,10]
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