Joseph O Falkinham1, Myra D Williams2, Rebecca Kwait3, Leah Lande3. 1. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. Electronic address: jofiii@vt.edu. 2. Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. 3. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Lankenau Medical Center, Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/ BACKGROUND: A published survey of bacteria in showerhead biofilm samples revealed that Methylobacterium spp. and Mycobacterium spp. seldom coexisted in biofilms. METHODS: To confirm that information, biofilm samples were collected from household plumbing of Mycobacterium avium patients and Methylobacterium spp. and M. avium numbers were measured by direct colony counts. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that if Methylobacterium spp. were present, Mycobacterium spp. were absent, and the opposite. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that microbial populations in biofilms can influence the presence or absence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens and, thereby, increase the range of strategies to reduce exposure to waterborne pathogens. Finally, by assessing for the visual presence of methylobacteria as pink pigmentation on showers and shower curtains, homeowners and managers of hospitals and other buildings can quickly determine whether a premise plumbing biofilm sample has mycobacteria with a high degree of assurance.
OBJECTIVE/ BACKGROUND: A published survey of bacteria in showerhead biofilm samples revealed that Methylobacterium spp. and Mycobacteriumspp. seldom coexisted in biofilms. METHODS: To confirm that information, biofilm samples were collected from household plumbing of Mycobacterium aviumpatients and Methylobacterium spp. and M. avium numbers were measured by direct colony counts. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that if Methylobacterium spp. were present, Mycobacteriumspp. were absent, and the opposite. CONCLUSION: The data demonstrate that microbial populations in biofilms can influence the presence or absence of opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens and, thereby, increase the range of strategies to reduce exposure to waterborne pathogens. Finally, by assessing for the visual presence of methylobacteria as pink pigmentation on showers and shower curtains, homeowners and managers of hospitals and other buildings can quickly determine whether a premise plumbing biofilm sample has mycobacteria with a high degree of assurance.
Authors: Matthew J Gebert; Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo; Angela M Oliverio; Tara M Webster; Lauren M Nichols; Jennifer R Honda; Edward D Chan; Jennifer Adjemian; Robert R Dunn; Noah Fierer Journal: mBio Date: 2018-10-30 Impact factor: 7.867