Identification of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Drinking Water in Cali, Colombia

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Andrés F Dávalos, Universidad Icesi, Calle; Pamela K Garcia, Emory University; Carolina Montoya-Pachongo, University of Leeds; Andrea Rengifo, Universidad Icesi, Calle; Daniela Guerrero, Universidad Icesi, Calle; Lorena Díaz-Ordoñez, Universidad Icesi, Calle; Gustavo Diaz, Universidad Icesi, Calle; Beatriz E Ferro, Universidad Icesi, Calle
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-08-10
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 by the authors.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168451
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 16
• Grant/Funding Information: Universidad Icesi supported this study (COL0099642-837). Gustavo Díaz was supported by the Global Infectious Disease research training Award Number D43TW006589 from the Fogarty International Center of the US National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the US National Institutes of Health.
• Keywords: drinking water; public health; antibiotic resistance; nontuberculous mycobacteria
• Research Categories: Engineering, Civil; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous microorganisms naturally resistant to antibiotics and disinfectants that can colonize drinking water supply systems. Information regarding the spread of NTM in specifically South America and Colombia is limited. We aimed to identify and characterize NTM present in tap water samples from Cali, Colombia. Drinking water samples and faucet biofilm swabs were collected in 18 places, including the city’s three main water treatment plants (WTPs). Filter-trapped material and eluates (0.45 μm) from swab washes were plated in 7H11 agar plates. Suspected colonies were evaluated microscopically, and NTM species were identified based on the rpoB gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was also performed. Fifty percent (9/18) of sampling points were positive for NTM (including two WTPs), from which 16 different isolates were identified: Mycobacterium mucogenicum (8/16), M. phocaicum (3/16), M. chelonae (2/16), M. mageritense (2/16), and M. fortuitum (1/16), all rapidly growing mycobacteria. A susceptibility profile was obtained from 68.75% (11/16) of the isolates. M. chelonae was the most resistant species. All NTM isolated are potentially responsible for human diseases; our findings might provide a baseline for exploring NTM transmission dynamics and clinical characterization, as well as potential associations between NTM species found in drinking water and isolates from patients.