Abstract
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are among the emerging pathogens in immunocompromised individuals including hospitalized patients. So, it is important to consider hospitals water supplies as a source for infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NTM in the hospital aquatic systems of Khuzestan, South west of Iran. In total, 258 hospital water samples were collected and examined. After initial sample processing, sediment of each sample were inoculated into two Lowenstein-Jensen medium. The positive cultures were studied with phenotypic tests including growth rate, colony morphology, and pigmentation, with subsequent PCR- restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) and rpoB gene sequence analysis. Mycobacterial strains were isolated from 77 samples (29.8%), comprising 52 (70.1%) rapid growing, and 25 (32.4%) slow growing mycobacteria. Based on the overall results, M. fortuitum (44.1%) was the most common mycobacterial species in hospital water samples, followed by M. gordonae (n = 13, 16.8%) and M. senegalense (n = 5, 7.7%). In conclusion, current study demonstrated the NTM strains as one of the major parts of hospital water supplies with probable potential source for nosocomial infections. This finding also help to shed light on to the dynamics of the distribution and diversity of NTM in the water system of hospitals in the region of study.
Highlights
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widely present in the environment and are commonly isolated from environmental sources including water (Decker and Palmore, 2013)
Biofilm formation, amoeba-associated lifestyle, and resistance to chlorine have been recognized as important factors that contribute to the survival, colonization and persistence of NTM in water distribution systems (Vaerewijck et al, 2005; Castillo-Rodal et al, 2012; Falkinham, 2015; Iii, 2015)
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NTM in the hospital aquatic systems of Khuzestan, Southwest of Iran, as the first survey on epidemiologic status and distribution of NTM species in hospital waters in the region of study
Summary
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are widely present in the environment and are commonly isolated from environmental sources including water (Decker and Palmore, 2013). The incidence of NTM has been reported different from one setting to another, ranging from 40 (Shin et al, 2007) to 58% (Crago et al, 2014). Some aquatic systems such as hospital water lines are more suitable for colonization with mycobacteria and biofilm formation (Decker and Palmore, 2013). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of NTM in the hospital aquatic systems of Khuzestan, Southwest of Iran, as the first survey on epidemiologic status and distribution of NTM species in hospital waters in the region of study
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
