Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) were found in 10 (15.6%) out of 64
examined samples of tap water collected from 64 different points from
the water supplies of the five main hospitals of the city of Patras (
Peloponnese, Greece), during a six month period. The range of mycobact
eria isolated from all the hospital water supplies was from 5-205 CFU
L-1. The identification of non-tuberculosis mycobacteria was performed
with PCR-Restriction Enzyme Analysis (PCR-REA). The dominant isolates
were Mycobacterium chelonae (3), Mycobacterium gordonae (2), Mycobact
erium flavescens (1) and Mycobacterium terrae (1). One strain was unid
entifiable and another two were lost during subculturing. All examined
samples were negative for faecal indicators. The periodical examinati
on of potable water of certain hospital units (such as the ones taking
care of immunocompromised hosts, haemodialysis units, endoscopy units
, Intensive Care Units etc.) for non-tuberculosis mycobacteria is cons
idered worthwile.