It is generally accepted that environmental exposure, particularly
exposure through water, is the main source of most
human infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria
(NTM). The incidence of waterborne NTM skin and soft tissue
infections in immunocompetent patients is increasing (31), as
is the incidence of pulmonary infections that occur due to
aerosol inhalation (15, 31). Ingestion or inhalation of contaminated
water (while swimming, for instance) could also be a
source of NTM infections in children (31). Because NTM are
emerging pathogens for humans and domestic animals, it is
important to identify their environmental sources and reservoirs
and to measure their proliferation and persistence in
freshwater ecosystems. A robust and standardized method for
environmental detection of NTM is necessary to do this.