Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) in Water Distribution Systems and Household Plumbing in the United States

Abstract

Members of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) are waterborne, opportunistic pathogens whose characteristics make urban water distribution systems and household plumbing ideal habitats for their survival, persistence and growth. Rather than contaminants, MAC are colonists of drinking water systems. MAC are normal inhabitants of natural soils and water, and enter drinking water treatment systems through surface sources. A proportion of MAC survive transmission through the treatment plant, and regrow in the distribution system and household plumbing. Once within household plumbing, MAC adhere to surfaces and form biofilms, thus preventing their washout. The thermal tolerance of MAC leads to growth in water heating systems. Stagnation does not reduce MAC numbers, as MAC can grow at low oxygen levels. MAC present challenges to current water monitoring approaches as their numbers do not correlate with E. coli, fecal coliforms or heterotrophic plate count bacteria.

Relationship Between Clean Water Sources, Waste Management, and Availability of Healthy Latrines with the Incidence of Pulmonary TB in Marginal Community

“…Selection for the growth and survival of MAC occurs in water treatment plants, the distribution system and household plumbing. MAC are staggeringly disinfectant-resistant [21] People who are provided with truly clean water have a lower risk of suffering from Tubeculosis than other people who don't get clean water The public can reduce the risk of exposure to Mycobacterium Tuberculosis by using clean water and protecting the water from contamination from the source to storage at home [22] Water is a good medium for bacterial growth, contamination easily occurs if hygiene and sanitation are not paid attention to. Using poor water sources can increase the risk of diarrhea.…”

Structure of bacterial communities in Japanese-style bathrooms: Comparative sequencing of bacteria in shower water and showerhead biofilms using a portable nanopore sequencer

“…2017). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria include nearly 200 species that can differ with respect to their ecology and pathogenicity (Tortoli 2014; Falkinham 2020a). Thus, to obtain more detailed information on specific mycobacterial species, it is necessary to sequence the gene using mycobacterium-specific primers, such as hsp65 (65-kDa heat shock protein), as well as performing identification through culture methods (Telenti et al .…”

“…Mycobacterium was not present at a higher rate in Japan than in the US and Europe; however, the incidence rate of nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in Japan was reported to be 14.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2014 (Namkoong et al 2016), and the number of infected people is increasing rapidly compared to other countries (Yano et al 2017). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria include nearly species that can differ with respect to their ecology and pathogenicity (Tortoli 2014;Falkinham 2020a). Thus, to obtain more detailed information on specific mycobacterial species, it is necessary to sequence the gene using mycobacterium-specific primers, such as hsp65 (65-kDa heat shock protein), as well as performing identification through culture methods (Telenti et al 1993).…”

Genome-wide association study reveals putative bacterial risk factors for cavitary Mycobacterium avium complex lung disease

“…Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is a slowly progressive disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) that are ubiquitously present in the environment (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). The increasing incidence of the disease has become a global threat; moreover, the disease varies with ethnicity, showing a higher incidence in Asian countries than in Caucasian countries (6)(7)(8)(9).…”