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Hot tub lung: infection, inflammation, or both?
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. aksamit.timothy@mayo.edu
Seminars in Respiratory Infections
|March 26, 2003
Summary
Hot tub use can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in hot tubs matches patient infections, highlighting a link for this lung condition.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immune-related lung disease.
- Increasing cases of HP are linked to hot tub use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) hot tub lung.
- To compare clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic presentations of patients with MAC hot tub lung.
Main Methods:
- Case series review of 9 Mayo Clinic patients.
- Comparison with 32 patients from published literature.
- Microbiologic analysis including DNA fingerprinting of MAC organisms.
Main Results:
- MAC organisms were identified in both patient samples and hot tub water.
- DNA fingerprinting confirmed matching strains between patients and water sources.
- Clinical, microbiologic, and radiographic data were analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Hot tub exposure is a potential source for MAC-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing MAC hot tub lung.
- Prognosis depends on timely intervention and avoidance of exposure.