| Title: |
Infection by Clonally Related Mycobacterium abscessus Isolates: The Role of Drinking Water. |
| Authors: |
Thomson, Rachel M; Wheeler, Nicole; Stockwell, Rebecca E; Bryant, Josephine; Taylor, Steven L; Leong, Lex EX; Le, Trieu; Rogers, Geraint B; Carter, Robyn; Sherrard, Laura J; Powell, Harry; Simpson, Graham; Patterson-Fahy, Kirby; Wainwright, Claire E; Floto, R Andres; Parkhill, Julian; Bell, Scott C |
| Publisher Information: |
Department of Medicine; Department of Veterinary Medicine; //doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202409-1824oc; Oxford University Press (OUP) |
| Publication Year: |
2025 |
| Collection: |
Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository |
| Subject Terms: |
Mycobacterium abscessus; bronchiectasis; cystic fibrosis; drinking water; environmental transmission; Humans; Mycobacterium Infections; Nontuberculous; Queensland; Male; Female; Water Microbiology; Whole Genome Sequencing; Middle Aged; Aged |
| Description: |
Rationale: Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) group bacteria cause lethal infections in people with chronic lung diseases. Transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood; the detection of dominant circulating clones (DCCs) has suggested the potential for person-to-person transmission. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the role of drinking water in the transmission of MABS. Methods: A total of 289 isolates were cultured from respiratory samples (n = 231) and drinking water sources (n = 58) across Queensland, Australia. Measurements and Main Results: Whole-genome sequences were analyzed to identify DCCs and determine relatedness. Half of the isolates (n = 144; 49.8%) clustered with previously described DCCs, of which 30 formed a clade within DCC5. Pan-genomic analysis of the water-associated DCC5 clade revealed an enrichment of genes associated with copper resistance. Four instances of plausible epidemiological links were identified between genomically related clinical and water isolates. Conclusions: We provide evidence that drinking water is a reservoir for MABS and may be a vector in the chain of MABS infection. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
Print-Electronic; application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/385068 |
| Availability: |
https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/385068 |
| Rights: |
Attribution 4.0 International ; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.84162D2E |
| Database: |
BASE |