title: Environmental Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in the Hawaiian Islands.
abstract: Lung disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is an emerging infectious disease of global significance. Epidemiologic studies have shown the Hawaiian Islands have the highest prevalence of NTM lung infections in the United States. However, potential environmental reservoirs and species diversity have not been characterized. In this cross-sectional study, we describe molecular and phylogenetic comparisons of NTM isolated from 172 household plumbing biofilms and soil samples from 62 non-patient households and 15 respiratory specimens. Although non-uniform geographic sampling and availability of patient information were limitations, Mycobacterium chimaera was found to be the dominant species in both environmental and respiratory specimens. In contrast to previous studies from the continental U.S., no Mycobacterium avium was identified. Mycobacterium intracellulare was found only in respiratory specimens and a soil sample. We conclude that Hawai'i's household water sources contain a unique composition of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), increasing our appreciation of NTM organisms of pulmonary importance in tropical environments.
authors: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States Of America.|Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.|National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Jennifer R
authors: JR
authors: Honda
authors: National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Nabeeh A
authors: NA
authors: Hasan
authors: National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Rebecca M
authors: RM
authors: Davidson
authors: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States Of America.
authors: Myra D
authors: MD
authors: Williams
authors: National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: L Elaine
authors: LE
authors: Epperson
authors: National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Paul R
authors: PR
authors: Reynolds
authors: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States Of America.
authors: Terry
authors: T
authors: Smith
authors: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States Of America.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Iakhiaeva
authors: Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc., Aiea, Hawai'i, United States Of America.|Departments of Pathology and Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai'i, United States Of America.
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Bankowski
authors: University of Texas Health Science Center, Tyler, Texas, United States Of America.
authors: Richard J
authors: RJ
authors: Wallace
authors: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States Of America.|Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.|National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Edward D
authors: ED
authors: Chan
authors: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States Of America.
authors: Joseph O
authors: JO
authors: Falkinham
authors: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, United States Of America.|National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado, United States Of America.
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Strong
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006254:Hawaii; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000382:microbiology*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012988:Soil Microbiology