Abstract
Background: While Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens in immunocompromised patients, it is important for hospitals to consider water as a source for infections.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of NTM in the hospital aquatic systems of Khuzestan, South west of Iran.
Methods: In total, 258 hospital water samples were collected and examined. After initial sample processing, sediment of each sample were inoculated into two Lowenstein-Jensen medium.Cultures were observed twice per week for growth rate, colony morphology, and pigmentation. Colonies were studied with phenotypic tests, PCR- restriction enzyme analysis (PRA) and rpoB gene sequence analysis.
Results: Mycobacterial strains were isolated from 77 (29.8%) samples, of which, 52 (70.1%) were rapid growing mycobacteria, while 25 (32.4%) strains were belonged to slow growing mycobacteria. Based on all tested methods, M. fortuitum (44.1%) was the most common mycobacterial species in hospital water samples, followed by M. gordonae (13 isolates, 16.8% of species) and M. senegalense (5 isolates, 7.7% of species).
Conclusions: current study demonstrated the NTM strains as a potential source for nosocomial infections. This findings also help to shed light on to the dynamics of the distribution and diversity of NTM in the water system of hospitals in the region of study.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016