Occurrence of nontuberculous mycobacteria in environmental samples

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are a major cause of opportunistic Infect ion in immunocompromised hosts. Because there is no evidence of person-to-p erson transmission and NTM have been found in drinking water, the environme nt is considered a likely source of infection. In this study the widespread occurrence of NTM, was examined in drinking water, bottled water, and ice samples. A total of 139 samples were examined for NTM by a membrane filtrat ion culture technique followed by PCR amplification and 16S rRNA sequence d etermination to identify the isolates. NTM were not detected in bottled wat er or cisterns but were detected in 54% of the ice samples and 35% of the p ublic drinking-water samples from 21 states. The most frequently occurring isolate was M. mucogenicum (formerly referred to as an M. chelonae-like org anism).