Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infection Risk and Trace Metals in Surface Water: A Population-based Ecologic...

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Public health
• Trace metal toxicology

Background:

• Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria, with certain species causing lung disease.
• Environmental factors influence NTM abundance and infection risk, necessitating identification of key water constituents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine which water-quality components are associated with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection risk in Oregon.
• To investigate the link between specific water constituents and NTM pulmonary infections (PI).

Main Methods:

• Population-based cohort study utilizing Oregon's statewide NTM laboratory data (2007-2012).
• Water-quality data from the Water Quality Portal were linked to patient residence.
• Generalized linear models were used to assess risk for *Mycobacterium avium* complex and *Mycobacterium abscessus* group PI.

Main Results:

• A 49% increase in *Mycobacterium avium* complex PI risk was associated with each log unit increase in surface water vanadium.
• A 41% increase in *Mycobacterium abscessus* PI risk was linked to each log unit increase in surface water molybdenum.
• Higher *Mycobacterium abscessus* infection risk was noted in Northwestern Oregon counties; *Mycobacterium avium* complex risk showed no geographic pattern.

Conclusions:

• Molybdenum and vanadium concentrations in surface water are associated with NTM infection in Oregon.
• Findings can aid in identifying regions with elevated NTM infection risk for targeted risk reduction strategies.