Molecular Epidemiologic Investigation of Mycobacterium intracellulare Subspecies chimaera Lung Infections at an Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program

• DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.202209-779oc
• Publication Date: 2023-01-19T16:28:26Z
• Authors: Jane E. Gross; Charlotte C. Tene...; Julie G. Sweet; Silvia M. Caceres; Katie R. Poch; Nabeeh A. Hasan; Fan Jia; L. Elaine Epperson; Ettie M. Lipner; Charmie K. Vang; Jennifer R. Honda; Matthew J. Strand; Vinicius Calado N...; Charles L. Daley; Michael Strong; Rebecca M. Davidson; Jerry A. Nick
• Keywords: Nontuberculous Mycobacteria

Rationale: Outbreaks of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) among people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) have been reported at CF centers conflicting conclusions. The occurrence NTM the UVMC (University Vermont Medical Center) adult program was investigated. Objectives: Use HALT (Healthcare-associated Links in Transmission NTM) toolkit to investigate healthcare-associated transmission and/or acquisition pwCF having genetically similar isolates. Methods: Whole genome sequencing isolates from 23 conducted identify isolate clusters (30 or fewer single-nucleotide polymorphism differences). epidemiological investigation, comparison respiratory and healthcare environmental isolates, home residence watershed mapping were analyzed. Results: analysis revealed two (Mycobacterium avium M. intracellulare ssp. chimaera) pwCF. epidemiologic investigation demonstrated opportunities for within both clusters. Healthcare no genetic similarity However, chimaera greater a hospital water biofilm than each other. Neither cluster had all subjects residing same watershed. Conclusions: This study suggests is unlikely but supports chimaera. presence alone insufficient confirm acquisition. standardizes outbreak analysis, sampling, identification test frequency nature