Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water

Rachel M Thomson; Nicole Wheeler; Rebecca E Stockwell; Josephine Bryant; Steven L Taylor; Lex E X Leong; Trieu Le; Geraint B Rogers; Robyn Carter; Laura J Sherrard; Harry Powell; Graham Simpson; Kirby Patterson-Fahy; Claire E Wainwright; R Andres Floto; Julian Parkhill; Scott C Bell

doi:10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC

Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water

Rachel M Thomson, Nicole Wheeler, Rebecca E Stockwell, Josephine Bryant, Steven L Taylor, Lex E X Leong, Trieu Le, Geraint B Rogers, Robyn Carter, Laura J Sherrard, Harry Powell, Graham Simpson, Kirby Patterson-Fahy, Claire E Wainwright, R Andres Floto, Julian Parkhill, Scott C Bell

School of Pharmacy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

RATIONALE: Mycobacterium abscessus group bacteria (MABS) cause lethal infections in people with chronic lung diseases. Transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood; the detection of dominant circulating clones (DCCs) has suggested potential for person-to-person transmission.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the role of drinking water in the transmission of MABS.

METHODS: A total of 289 isolates were cultured from respiratory samples (231) and drinking water sources (58) across Queensland, Australia.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Whole genome sequences were analysed to identify DCCs and determine relatedness. Half of the isolates (144, 49·8%) clustered with previously described DCCs, of which 30 formed a clade within DCC5. Pangenomic analysis of the water-associated DCC5 clade revealed an enrichment of genes associated with copper resistance. Four instances of plausible epidemiological links were identified between genomically-related clinical and water isolates.

CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that drinking water is a reservoir for MABS and may be a vector in the chain of MABS infection.

Original language	English
Journal	American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
Early online date	12 Mar 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC
Publication status	Early online date - 12 Mar 2025

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Thomson, R. M., Wheeler, N., Stockwell, R. E., Bryant, J., Taylor, S. L., Leong, L. E. X., Le, T., Rogers, G. B., Carter, R., Sherrard, L. J., Powell, H., Simpson, G., Patterson-Fahy, K., Wainwright, C. E., Floto, R. A., Parkhill, J., & Bell, S. C. (2025). Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC

@article{14e5cbccf0c84222b5092d895e5d9d30,

title = "Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water",

abstract = "RATIONALE: Mycobacterium abscessus group bacteria (MABS) cause lethal infections in people with chronic lung diseases. Transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood; the detection of dominant circulating clones (DCCs) has suggested potential for person-to-person transmission.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the role of drinking water in the transmission of MABS.METHODS: A total of 289 isolates were cultured from respiratory samples (231) and drinking water sources (58) across Queensland, Australia.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Whole genome sequences were analysed to identify DCCs and determine relatedness. Half of the isolates (144, 49·8%) clustered with previously described DCCs, of which 30 formed a clade within DCC5. Pangenomic analysis of the water-associated DCC5 clade revealed an enrichment of genes associated with copper resistance. Four instances of plausible epidemiological links were identified between genomically-related clinical and water isolates.CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that drinking water is a reservoir for MABS and may be a vector in the chain of MABS infection.",

author = "Thomson, {Rachel M} and Nicole Wheeler and Stockwell, {Rebecca E} and Josephine Bryant and Taylor, {Steven L} and Leong, {Lex E X} and Trieu Le and Rogers, {Geraint B} and Robyn Carter and Sherrard, {Laura J} and Harry Powell and Graham Simpson and Kirby Patterson-Fahy and Wainwright, {Claire E} and Floto, {R Andres} and Julian Parkhill and Bell, {Scott C}",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC",

language = "English",

journal = "American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine",

issn = "1073-449X",

publisher = "American Thoracic Society",

}

Thomson, RM, Wheeler, N, Stockwell, RE, Bryant, J, Taylor, SL, Leong, LEX, Le, T, Rogers, GB, Carter, R, Sherrard, LJ, Powell, H, Simpson, G, Patterson-Fahy, K, Wainwright, CE, Floto, RA, Parkhill, J & Bell, SC 2025, 'Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water', American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC

TY - JOUR

T1 - Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water

AU - Thomson, Rachel M

AU - Wheeler, Nicole

AU - Stockwell, Rebecca E

AU - Bryant, Josephine

AU - Taylor, Steven L

AU - Leong, Lex E X

AU - Le, Trieu

AU - Rogers, Geraint B

AU - Carter, Robyn

AU - Sherrard, Laura J

AU - Powell, Harry

AU - Simpson, Graham

AU - Patterson-Fahy, Kirby

AU - Wainwright, Claire E

AU - Floto, R Andres

AU - Parkhill, Julian

AU - Bell, Scott C

PY - 2025/3/12

Y1 - 2025/3/12

N2 - RATIONALE: Mycobacterium abscessus group bacteria (MABS) cause lethal infections in people with chronic lung diseases. Transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood; the detection of dominant circulating clones (DCCs) has suggested potential for person-to-person transmission.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the role of drinking water in the transmission of MABS.METHODS: A total of 289 isolates were cultured from respiratory samples (231) and drinking water sources (58) across Queensland, Australia.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Whole genome sequences were analysed to identify DCCs and determine relatedness. Half of the isolates (144, 49·8%) clustered with previously described DCCs, of which 30 formed a clade within DCC5. Pangenomic analysis of the water-associated DCC5 clade revealed an enrichment of genes associated with copper resistance. Four instances of plausible epidemiological links were identified between genomically-related clinical and water isolates.CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that drinking water is a reservoir for MABS and may be a vector in the chain of MABS infection.

AB - RATIONALE: Mycobacterium abscessus group bacteria (MABS) cause lethal infections in people with chronic lung diseases. Transmission mechanisms remain poorly understood; the detection of dominant circulating clones (DCCs) has suggested potential for person-to-person transmission.OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the role of drinking water in the transmission of MABS.METHODS: A total of 289 isolates were cultured from respiratory samples (231) and drinking water sources (58) across Queensland, Australia.MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Whole genome sequences were analysed to identify DCCs and determine relatedness. Half of the isolates (144, 49·8%) clustered with previously described DCCs, of which 30 formed a clade within DCC5. Pangenomic analysis of the water-associated DCC5 clade revealed an enrichment of genes associated with copper resistance. Four instances of plausible epidemiological links were identified between genomically-related clinical and water isolates.CONCLUSIONS: We provide evidence that drinking water is a reservoir for MABS and may be a vector in the chain of MABS infection.

U2 - 10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC

DO - 10.1164/rccm.202409-1824OC

M3 - Article

C2 - 40072241

SN - 1073-449X

JO - American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

JF - American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine

ER -

Infection by clonally related Mycobacterium abscessus isolates: the role of drinking water

Abstract

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