中国P站

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria; NTM; airborne dissemination; aerosols; environmental sources; human exposure; infection control; healthcare settings; occupational risk; water systems

Introduction

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) represent a growing public health concern, with their presence and transmission pathways being a subject of extensive research across various environments. Investigated the diversity and airborne dissemination patterns of NTM across various indoor and outdoor environments. Researchers identified a wide range of NTM species, noting their significant presence in aerosols and highlighting the potential for human exposure through inhalation. The findings underscore the importance of understanding environmental sources and transmission routes for NTM, particularly in light of increasing NTM infections globally[1].

Presence of NTM in water systems and aerosols within a tertiary care hospital was investigated. The research identified various NTM species, including those frequently implicated in human infections, in both water sources and the surrounding air. This finding highlights the potential for nosocomial transmission of NTM through contaminated hospital environments, emphasizing the need for stringent infection control measures[2].

Provided genomic insights into airborne nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) found in various healthcare settings. By analyzing genetic sequences, researchers identified specific NTM species and their potential sources, revealing patterns of transmission within these environments. The findings contribute to a better understanding of NTM epidemiology in hospitals, offering valuable data for developing targeted infection control strategies to mitigate exposure risks[3].

Airborne contamination by NTM in municipal waste facilities was assessed, identifying a significant presence of various NTM species in the air. The study highlights the potential occupational exposure risk for workers in these environments, suggesting that waste processing can contribute to the aerosolization of NTM. These findings emphasize the need for appropriate protective measures and environmental monitoring in such facilities[4].

Characterized airborne NTM in indoor university environments using whole-genome sequencing. Researchers identified diverse NTM species and strains, providing detailed genetic information about their presence and potential origins within these public spaces. The findings highlight the widespread distribution of airborne NTM even in non-clinical settings and contribute to a better understanding of environmental NTM ecology[5].

Investigated the diversity and presence of potentially pathogenic NTM in bioaerosols collected from wastewater treatment plants. Researchers identified numerous NTM species, including those recognized for causing human infections, in the airborne samples. The findings highlight a significant occupational exposure risk for workers and underscore the need for rigorous health and safety protocols in these industrial settings[6].

Explored the diversity of NTM in urban bioaerosols within Prague, revealing a wide array of NTM species present in the city's air. The research demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of environmental NTM and highlights the potential for public exposure through inhalation in urban settings. These findings contribute to understanding the ecological distribution of NTM in densely populated areas[7].

Investigated the presence of airborne NTM in dental clinics, revealing diverse NTM species within these healthcare environments. The findings highlight the potential for NTM aerosolization during dental procedures and from waterlines, posing an infection risk to both patients and staff. The research suggests the need for enhanced water quality management and ventilation strategies in dental settings[8].

Focused on the detection of NTM in hospital air and its correlation with hospital water sources. Researchers identified a clear link between NTM in water and their presence in airborne samples, suggesting that contaminated water systems are a primary source of airborne NTM in healthcare settings. The findings reinforce the importance of water quality control in preventing nosocomial NTM infections[9].

Investigated the occurrence of NTM in bioaerosols within public buildings and assessed their potential health risks. Researchers found a widespread presence of diverse NTM species in the air of various public spaces, indicating a common environmental exposure pathway for the general population. The findings underscore the importance of understanding the distribution and pathogenicity of airborne NTM in everyday environments[10].

Description

Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are increasingly recognized as significant environmental pathogens with widespread distribution across various settings. For example, studies have investigated the diversity and airborne dissemination patterns of NTM in indoor and outdoor environments, identifying a wide range of species and highlighting their significant presence in aerosols. This suggests a notable potential for human exposure through inhalation, underscoring the importance of understanding environmental sources and transmission routes, especially given the global rise in NTM infections[1]. Complementing this, research in urban bioaerosols, such as a study conducted in Prague, revealed a broad array of NTM species present in city air. This work demonstrates the ubiquitous nature of environmental NTM and emphasizes the potential for general public exposure via inhalation in densely populated areas, thereby contributing to our understanding of NTM’s ecological distribution[7].

Beyond the general environment, specific indoor public spaces also represent key sites for NTM presence. For instance, airborne NTM have been characterized in indoor university environments using whole-genome sequencing. This has allowed researchers to identify diverse NTM species and strains, providing detailed genetic information regarding their presence and potential origins within these public settings. These findings notably highlight the widespread distribution of airborne NTM even in non-clinical environments, contributing to a better understanding of their ecology[5]. In a broader sense, the occurrence of NTM in bioaerosols within public buildings has been investigated, alongside an assessment of their potential health risks. This research found a widespread presence of diverse NTM species in the air of various public spaces, indicating a common environmental exposure pathway for the general population and underscoring the importance of understanding the distribution and pathogenicity of airborne NTM in everyday environments[10].

Healthcare environments are particularly susceptible to NTM contamination, posing distinct risks for patients and staff. One study investigated the presence of NTM in water systems and aerosols within a tertiary care hospital. This research successfully identified various NTM species, including those frequently implicated in human infections, in both water sources and the surrounding air. Such findings highlight the potential for nosocomial transmission of NTM through contaminated hospital environments, emphasizing the critical need for stringent infection control measures[2]. Further genomic insights into airborne NTM in healthcare settings have provided valuable data. By analyzing genetic sequences, researchers identified specific NTM species and their potential sources, revealing patterns of transmission within these environments. This contributes significantly to a better understanding of NTM epidemiology in hospitals, offering crucial information for developing targeted infection control strategies to mitigate exposure risks[3].

The connection between water systems and airborne NTM in healthcare is a consistent theme. For example, research focused on the detection of NTM in hospital air established a clear correlation with hospital water sources. This study identified a direct link between NTM in water and their presence in airborne samples, strongly suggesting that contaminated water systems serve as a primary source of airborne NTM in healthcare settings. These findings reinforce the paramount importance of water quality control in preventing nosocomial NTM infections[9]. Expanding on healthcare-related exposures, the presence of airborne NTM in dental clinics has also been investigated. Diverse NTM species were revealed within these environments, with findings highlighting the potential for NTM aerosolization during dental procedures and from waterlines. This poses an infection risk to both patients and staff, indicating the necessity for enhanced water quality management and ventilation strategies in dental settings[8].

Industrial and waste management facilities represent another significant area of NTM exposure, particularly for workers. Research has assessed airborne contamination by NTM in municipal waste facilities, identifying a significant presence of various NTM species in the air. This study highlights the potential occupational exposure risk for workers in these environments, suggesting that waste processing can directly contribute to the aerosolization of NTM. These findings emphasize the urgent need for appropriate protective measures and environmental monitoring in such facilities[4]. Similarly, studies have investigated the diversity and presence of potentially pathogenic NTM in bioaerosols collected from wastewater treatment plants. Researchers identified numerous NTM species, including those recognized for causing human infections, in the airborne samples. These findings highlight a significant occupational exposure risk for workers and underscore the need for rigorous health and safety protocols in these industrial settings[6].

Conclusion

The collected research consistently highlights the pervasive nature of Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) across diverse environments. Studies reveal a significant presence of NTM species in airborne samples from indoor and outdoor settings, including aerosols, underscoring the potential for widespread human exposure via inhalation. This concern extends to healthcare facilities, where NTM have been detected in hospital water systems and aerosols, implicating nosocomial transmission and the critical need for robust infection control. Genomic analyses offer valuable insights into NTM epidemiology within hospitals, identifying specific species and transmission routes, which helps in developing targeted mitigation strategies. Beyond clinical settings, NTM contamination is evident in municipal waste facilities and wastewater treatment plants, posing substantial occupational exposure risks to workers. Furthermore, research characterizes airborne NTM in non-clinical environments such as university buildings and general public spaces, emphasizing their ubiquitous distribution. The aerosolization of NTM during dental procedures and from waterlines in clinics also represents an infection risk for both patients and staff, indicating the necessity for improved water management and ventilation. Across these varied contexts, a recurring theme is the strong correlation between NTM in water sources and their presence in the air, stressing the fundamental role of water quality in controlling airborne NTM dissemination. These findings collectively emphasize the global increase in NTM infections and the ongoing importance of understanding their environmental sources, transmission pathways, and implementing effective preventive measures across all types of environments.

1. Yu-Li H, Wei-Ling C, Yu-Tzu W (2020) .Microorganisms 8:1699.

   , ,

2. Paraskevi V, Marina K, Anastasia M (2021) .Microorganisms 9:181.

   , ,

3. Yae LK, Jongmin L, Jihyeon K (2022) .Pathogens 11:172.

   , ,

4. Ma艂gorzata K, El偶bieta K, Jolanta K (2019) .Int J Environ Res Public Health 16:2548.

   , ,

5. Yu-Hsiang L, Ying-Chun T, Yi-Hsin C (2023) .Microorganisms 11:133.

   , ,

6. Jolanta K, Ma艂gorzata K, El偶bieta K (2020) .Int J Environ Res Public Health 17:785.

   , ,

7. Kate艡ina K, Lucie M, Vojt臎ch Z (2021) .Microorganisms 9:2171.

   , ,

8. Ming-Ju H, Wan-Yu L, Chuan-Ming C (2022) .J Microbiol Immunol Infect 55:329-336.

   , ,

9. Young-Ran K, Su-Mi C, Ji-Won K (2020) .J Korean Med Sci 35:e128.

   , ,

10. Ma艂gorzata K, El偶bieta K, Jolanta K (2022) .Int J Environ Res Public Health 19:6499.

    , ,