Mycobacterium avium in a shower linked to pulmonary disease.
Mycobacterium avium was isolated from hot and cold water samples and from sediment (biofilm) collected from the showerhead in the home of a woman with M. avium pulmonary disease lacking known M. avium risk factors. IS1245/IS1311 DNA fingerprinting demonstrated that M. avium isolates from the hot and cold water and showerhead sediment demonstrated a clonal relationship with the patient's M. avium isolate. The data provide evidence that showers may serve as sources of infection by waterborne M. avium.
Falkinham
Joseph O
JO
Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0406, USA. jofiii@vt.edu
Iseman
Michael D
MD
de Haas
Petra
P
van Soolingen
Dick
D
D000328:Adult; D018441:Biofilms; D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D009164:Mycobacterium Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015269:Mycobacterium avium Complex / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015270:Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Infection / Q000382:microbiology; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial