According to a recent breakthrough study published in Nature’s Scientific Reports, researchers have successfully isolated Mycobacterium saskatchewanense from medical devices for the first time. The study identified the healthcare facility’s water system as the likely source of contamination.
Mycobacterium saskatchewanense is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) commonly found in soil and water environments. While not as well-known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, NTMs can still pose significant health risks, especially for individuals with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions. These bacteria can form biofilms and withstand chemical treatments, making them known opportunistic pathogens in healthcare facilities.
The study utilized advanced identification technologies, including the GenoType Mycobacterium CM CE-IVD kit and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). These tools allowed for precise genetic identification of the bacterium, confirming its presence on medical devices and pointing to the hospital’s water system as the likely source of contamination.
The paper cited several other studies reporting elevated concentrations of mycobacteria in healthcare water systems. The plumbing systems of large structures often have areas with stagnant water, allowing biofilms to develop, which can harbor NTM.
The researchers concluded that continuous and active monitoring of NTM contamination in medical devices that use water is necessary to prevent the possibility of patients becoming infected.
Long-term strategies to control and prevent biofilm and Mycobacteria contamination in plumbing systems, such as through continuous disinfection of the hospital’s water system, are crucial to reducing healthcare-associated infections and ensuring patient safety.
