Collection and Characteristics of Mycobacteria in Aerosols
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Published:1990
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Airborne mycobacteria in natural aerosols in Richmond, Virginia were isolated and enumerated using an Andersen Sampler and suitable bacteriologic media. Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum (the MAIS group) were recovered in higher numbers from aerosols than other mycobacteria, though there was wide fluctuation in the numbers of each, depending upon the collection site. Mycobacteria were isolated on particles of various sizes, some capable of reaching the alveoli of the human lung. Mycobacterium avium, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum were recovered from waters upstream of Richmond, Virginia, whereas highest numbers of M. terrae and M. gordonae and rapidly growing mycobacteria were recovered from waters collected downstream of Richmond's municipal sewage treatment plant. Based upon the numbers of M. avium, M. intracellulare and M. scrofulaceum in aerosols and in the James River, the major pathway of human exposure would be through inhalation. The numbers of mycobacteria in aerosols did not correlate with the numbers in waters.