I received my snail mail NTM (Nontuberculous Mycobacteria or MAC to us) newsletter last week and was disgusted by the following article. I immediately soaked my hand held showerheads in bleach/water solution and will continue to do so from now on.
I take so many precautions to never catch MAC again. I've given up swimming, hot tubbing (pretty sure this is how I caught mine), steam rooms at the gym, anything water related at the gym, gardening <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> and anything associated with handling or breathing dirt, and staying far away from any birds or bird droppings. I've always kept my shower sprayed with cleaner often but now I've got to worry about the biofilm on my showerhead too? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">
Ugh, the list of MAC no no's is endless. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif" border="0">
From the NTM April 2008 newsletter:
Update: Virginia Tech RIPStm Water Study
By Joseph Falkinham, PhD.Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Mycobacteriology Laboratory initiated a project in January 2008 to determine whether household water systems are possible sources of NTM infection. In addition to having collaborating NTM patients collect hot and cold water samples, the laboratory asks that the material on the surface of water taps and showerheads be collected with swabs. Microorganisms, particularly NTM, attach to surfaces and, along with other microorganisms, form what is called a biofilm where they grow.
For the study, sample kits with detailed collection instructions are sent to collaborating NTM patients. The more collaborating patients and household samples received, the stronger the conclusions.
NTM will be isolated from the household water and biofilm samples and, if any of the isolates are the same mycobacterial species of the patient, DNA fingerprints will be compared.
As of April 1st, the Virginia Tech lab has processed 5 of 7 household collections. NTM have been isolated from 4 of 5 (80 %) of the NTM patient households processed to date.
The NTM isolates from the 4 patients providing household samples were also obtained. In all 4 cases, the fingerprint of some of the NTM isolates from the households match that of the patient's isolate.
The data supports the hypothesis that household water systems are a source of NTM infection; however, we will continue to process approximately 20 more household collections.
We at Virginia Tech are grateful for NTMir's support and the collaboration with patients with NTM disease.
I take so many precautions to never catch MAC again. I've given up swimming, hot tubbing (pretty sure this is how I caught mine), steam rooms at the gym, anything water related at the gym, gardening <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> and anything associated with handling or breathing dirt, and staying far away from any birds or bird droppings. I've always kept my shower sprayed with cleaner often but now I've got to worry about the biofilm on my showerhead too? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">
Ugh, the list of MAC no no's is endless. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-mad.gif" border="0">
From the NTM April 2008 newsletter:
Update: Virginia Tech RIPStm Water Study
By Joseph Falkinham, PhD.Virginia Tech
The Virginia Tech Mycobacteriology Laboratory initiated a project in January 2008 to determine whether household water systems are possible sources of NTM infection. In addition to having collaborating NTM patients collect hot and cold water samples, the laboratory asks that the material on the surface of water taps and showerheads be collected with swabs. Microorganisms, particularly NTM, attach to surfaces and, along with other microorganisms, form what is called a biofilm where they grow.
For the study, sample kits with detailed collection instructions are sent to collaborating NTM patients. The more collaborating patients and household samples received, the stronger the conclusions.
NTM will be isolated from the household water and biofilm samples and, if any of the isolates are the same mycobacterial species of the patient, DNA fingerprints will be compared.
As of April 1st, the Virginia Tech lab has processed 5 of 7 household collections. NTM have been isolated from 4 of 5 (80 %) of the NTM patient households processed to date.
The NTM isolates from the 4 patients providing household samples were also obtained. In all 4 cases, the fingerprint of some of the NTM isolates from the households match that of the patient's isolate.
The data supports the hypothesis that household water systems are a source of NTM infection; however, we will continue to process approximately 20 more household collections.
We at Virginia Tech are grateful for NTMir's support and the collaboration with patients with NTM disease.