Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water [OP]: A Guide to Public Health Consequences, Monitoring and Management (WHO Emerging Issues in Water & Infections Disease)

Environmental mycobacteria can be found in diverse environments around the world and most appear to exhibit a saprophytic lifestyle. However, some have the ability to infect animals, birds and humans, and have evolved mechanisms by which they can invade and grow within host cells: the pathogenic environmental mycobacteria (PEM). Although the diseases caused by these organisms have been known for many years, it is only recently that the potential significance of PEM as a waterborne pathogen has been appreciated. Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water describes the current knowledge of the distribution of PEM in water and other parts of the environment. The routes of transmission that lead to human infection are discussed and there is a detailed analysis of the most significant disease symptoms that can follow infection. Many species of PEM are difficult to isolate in culture and so detection and identification rely upon the use modern techniques such as those based on selective nucleic acid amplification (PCR). The classical and modern methods of analysis are described. The book concludes with a discussion of the issues surrounding the control of PEM in drinking-water and the assessment and management of risks. Pathogenic Mycobacteria in Water has been developed from an expert workshop convened by the World Health Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency. Contents Natural ecology and survival in water of mycobacteria of potential public health significance Environmental sources of Mycobacterium avium linked to routes of exposure Biology of waterborne pathogenic mycobacteria Analytical methods for the detection of waterborne and environmental pathogenic mycobacteria The Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis problem and its relation to the causation of Crohn disease Disseminated infection, cervical adenitis and other MAC infections Skin, Bone, and Soft Tissue Infections Pulmonary infection in non-HIV infected individuals Disease resulting from contaminated equipment and invasive procedures Control, Treatment and Disinfection of Mycobacterium avium Complex in Drinking Water Approaches to risk management in priority settings Describes The Current Knowledge Of The Distribution Of Pem In Water And Other Parts Of The Environment. The Routes Of Transmission That Lead To Human Infection Are Discussed And There Is A Detailed Analysis Of The Most Significant Disease Symptoms That Can Foloow Infections. The Classical And Modern Methods Of Analysis Are Described. The Book Concludes With A Discussion Of The Issues Surrounding The Control Of Pem In Drinking-water And The Assessment And Management Of Risks. Introduction -- Natural Ecology And Survival In Water Of Mycobacteria Of Potential Public Health Significance -- Environmental Sources Of Mycobacterium Avium Linked To Routes Of Exposure -- Biology Of Waterborne Pathogenic Mycobacteria -- Analytical Methods For The Detection Of Waterborne And Environmental Pathogenic Mycobacteria -- The Mycobacterium Avium Subspecies Paratuberculosis Problem And Its Relation To The Causation Of Crohn Disease -- Disseminated Infection, Cervical Adenitis And Other Mac Infections -- Skin, Bone And Soft Tissue Infections -- Pulmonary Infection In Non-hiv Infected Individuals. Disease Resulting From Contaminated Equipment And Invasive Procedures -- Control, Treatment And Disinfection Of Mycobacterium Avium Complex In Drinking Water -- Approaches To Risk Management In Priority Setting -- References -- Index. Edited By S. Pedley ... [et Al.]. Developed From The Expert Workshop Held In Guildford, Uk On 18-20 Sept., 2002 By The World Health Organization's Water, Sanitation And Health Office In Collaboration With The Us Epa Office Of Research And Development. Published On Behalf Of The World Health Organization--t.p. Verso. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [179]-227) And Index. Also Available Via The World Wide Web. The importance of the Pathogenic Environmental Mycobacteria (PEM), and especially the Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC), was recognised with the discovery of disseminated infection in immunocompromised people, particularly people with HIV and AIDS. Yet there are many other forms of disease, both minor and serious, that are caused by PEM. This book provides a comprehensive review of PEM, the different types of disease that they are known to cause, and their distribution in water and other parts of the natural environment. It explores the role of water as a vehicle for the transmission of these pathogens and concludes with a discussion of the issues surrounding the control of PEM in drinking-water and the assessment and management of risks. The book is a valuable resource for sanitary and clinical microbiologists, public health professionals, water resource managers, water engineers, piped public water suppliers, regulators of water quality and facilities managers in medical and commercial buildings