A Nosocomial Pseudo-Outbreak of Mycobacterium xenopi Due to a Contaminated Potable Water Supply: Lessons in Prevention

Abstract

Maintenance of a higher water temperature and improved specimen collection protocols and instrument disinfection procedures probably would have prevented this pseudo-outbreak.

A cluster of six respiratory cultures positive for Mycobacterium xenopi –Clinical characteristics and genomic characterization

“…M. xenopi is a slow growing mycobacterium that has been known to cause NTM infection in humans for decades, yet little is known about optimal treatment, correlation of in vitro susceptibility testing and outcomes, resistance mechanisms, and strain typing with whole genome sequencing [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] .…”

“…Pseudo-outbreaks, defined as increased isolation of an organism without increase in cases meeting criteria for infection, have been linked to M. xenopi , typically from contaminated water or equipment [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] . However, reports have documented an upward trend in true infections due to M. xenopi , highlighting the importance of distinguishing pathogens from contaminants [7] .…”

Mycobacterium xenopi native vertebral osteomyelitis and discitis: Case & review of published cases

“…M. xenopi has been found in water tanks, hospital water systems (cold and hot), and generators [2] , and a small number of pseudo-outbreaks have been documented due to lab water contamination. [3] , [4] It is predominantly an opportunistic or iatrogenic pathogen, rarely causing lower respiratory tract infections in immunocompromised hosts. [5] Rarer still are cases of bone or joint infection.…”