What question did this study set out to answer?

To review the environmental niches and transmission pathways of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causing opportunistic human infections, alongside challenges in assessing exposure risks.

March 4, 2013Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

Ecology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria—Where Do Human Infections Come from?

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To review the environmental niches and transmission pathways of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) causing opportunistic human infections, alongside challenges in assessing exposure risks.
Synthesized ecological and microbiological findings regarding NTM persistence and survival traits within engineered water distribution systems and soil.
Evaluated primary aerosol and dust inhalation exposure routes and the limitations of waterborne risk modeling due to uncharacterized virulence determinants.
NTM thrive in building plumbing and municipal water systems due to innate disinfectant resistance, high surface adherence, and growth in low-nutrient conditions.
Inhalation of aerosols from showers, hot tubs, and humidifiers, as well as dust from peat-rich potting soil, represents the primary exposure mechanism for susceptible hosts.
Formal risk modeling for drinking water remains unestablished due to wide virulence variability across isolates and lack of identified virulence factors.

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Implication

Ecological review reveals prominent water and soil mycobacterial exposures in at-risk individuals, highlighting actionable avoidance strategies amid broad isolate virulence.

Cite This Study

Joseph O. Falkinham (2013) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a775102c5ab23c76cec8dbd https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1333568

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Implication

Ecological review reveals prominent water and soil mycobacterial exposures in at-risk individuals, highlighting actionable avoidance strategies amid broad isolate virulence.

Ecology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria—Where Do Human Infections Come from?

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Ecology of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria—Where Do Human Infections Come from?

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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