Shower dehumidification to reduce nontuberculous mycobacteria aerosolization.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmentally acquired opportunistic pathogens that can cause recalcitrant lung disease. Prior reports have demonstrated links between shower use and infections, yet the aerosolization of NTM from showerheads, as well as the humidity levels that may modulate NTM aerosolization from showerheads is less studied. The objective of the current study was to investigate the role of humidity in NTM aerosolization among showers in homes located in a geographic area with high lung disease incidence, Hawai'i, and test whether deployment of a dehumidifier in well-ventilated bathrooms reduce NTM exposure.

Results

Across two sampling events and five showers, existing NTM showerhead biofilms along with shower air were sampled at three point

SUBMITTER: Kostecki MX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10976743 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature