title: Surveillance and molecular characterization of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in a hospital water distribution system over a three-year period.
abstract: A three-year surveillance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a hospital water distribution system was conducted at a facility located in southern Alberta. NTM was not present in any intake water samples, but was found in 106/183 (58%) of endpoint samples across 15 sites over the study period. Two different species of NTM were identified, Mycobacterium gordonae (88/183) and Mycobacterium avium (34/183); with only one strain of each M. gordonae and M. avium found. Given the sensitive nature of a healthcare facility, attention should be paid to minimize potential impact of NTM from potable water sources on patient health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Electronic address: bryanne.crago@albertahealthservices.ca.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Crago
authors.affiliation: Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrato
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Drews
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Infection Prevention and Control, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Louie
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ceri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.affiliation: Facilities Maintenance and Engineering, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Roles
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Provincial Laboratory for Public Health, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Louie
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D009162:Mycobacterium avium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water
keywords: Hospital water distribution systems; Non-tuberculous mycobacteria; Nosocomial infections; Waterborne infections