Epidemiology of infection by nontuberculous mycobacteria. IV. Preferential aerosolization of Mycobacterium intracellulare from natural waters.

摘要: We report here the first laboratory studies simulating conditions for natural aerosolization of Mycobacterium intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum estimate yields this pathway transfer pathogenic mycobacteria from water to air; were both concentrated in droplets ejected cell suspensions densities comparable those found freshwaters (100 2,000 colony-forming units per ml). The enrichment factor (defined as concentration cells droplet volume divided by bulk suspension equivalent volume) isolates ranged 68 15,000, with an average 2,922; it 35 550, 177. One responsible greater was their aggregation. However, after vortexing, still aerosolized more (enrichment factor, 325) than scrofulaceum. Increasing salt concentrations enriched species, but number organisms transferred air did not increase proportionately because decreased volume. Other waterborne pathogens such Legionella pneumophila also air, indicating that possible infection humans may be significant other respiratory diseases.