Validation of a Novel Diagnostic Approach Combining the VersaTREK™ System for Recovery and Real-Time PCR for the Identification of Mycobacterium chimaera in Water Samples

Zoccola, Roberto; Blasio, Alessia Di; Bossotto, Tiziana; Pontei, Angela; Angelillo, Maria Teresa; Dondo, Alessandro; Goria, Maria; Zoppi, Simona

doi:10.3390/microorganisms9051031

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…The occurrence of M. chimaera in the aquatic environment, especially in water pipes and cooling tanks of cardiology units, currently represents a significant health risk. Its capture is described in the publication by Zoccola et al, which concerns the validation of a novel diagnostic approach combining the VersaTREK™ system for recovery and real-time PCR for the identification of M. chimaera in water samples [ 46 ].…”

Section: Benefits Of Studying the Ecology Of Mycobacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health

2022

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Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an important group of environmentally saprophytic and potentially pathogenic bacteria that can cause serious mycobacterioses in humans and animals. The sources of infections often remain undetected except for soil- or water-borne, water-washed, water-based, or water-related infections caused by groups of the Mycobacterium (M.) avium complex; M. fortuitum; and other NTM species, including M. marinum infection, known as fish tank granuloma, and M. ulcerans infection, which is described as a Buruli ulcer. NTM could be considered as water-borne, air-borne, and soil-borne pathogens (sapronoses). A lot of clinically relevant NTM species could be considered due to the enormity of published data on permanent, periodic, transient, and incidental sapronoses. Interest is currently increasing in mycobacterioses diagnosed in humans and husbandry animals (esp. pigs) caused by NTM species present in peat bogs, potting soil, garden peat, bat and bird guano, and other matrices used as garden fertilizers. NTM are present in dust particles and in water aerosols, which represent certain factors during aerogenous infection in immunosuppressed host organisms during hospitalization, speleotherapy, and leisure activities. For this Special Issue, a collection of articles providing a current view of the research on NTM—including the clinical relevance, therapy, prevention of mycobacterioses, epidemiology, and ecology—are addressed.

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Section: Benefits Of Studying the Ecology Of Mycobacteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health

2022

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“…Moreover, the diagnosis may be elusive due to the long latency between infection and diagnosis, and because of often-intermittent bacteraemia and normal echocardiography in some cases. MC detection in the environment can also be challenging, especially due to the biofilm formation ability of MC that makes disinfection of medical devices and eradication difficult [ 23 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of the Heater–Cooler Unit (HCU)-Related Outbreak of Invasive Mycobacterium chimaera Infection Occurred in Italy

Cannas,

Campanale,

Minella

et al. 2023

Microorganisms

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Background: From 2013 onwards, a large outbreak of Mycobacterium chimaera (MC) invasive infection, which was correlated with the use of contaminated heater–cooler units (HCUs) during open chest surgery, was reported from all over the world. Here, we report the results of the epidemiological and molecular investigations conducted in Italy after the alarm raised about this epidemic event. Methods: MC strains isolated from patients or from HCU devices were characterized by genomic sequencing and molecular epidemiological analysis. Results: Through retrospective epidemiological analysis conducted between January 2010 and December 2022, 40 possible cases of patients infected with MC were identified. Thirty-six strains isolated from these patients were analysed by whole genome sequencing (WGS) and were found to belong to the genotypes 1.1 or 1.8, which are the genotypes correlated with the outbreak. Most of the cases presented with prosthetic valve endocarditis, vascular graft infection or disseminated infection. Among the cases found, there were 21 deaths. The same analysis was carried out on HCU devices. A total of 251 HCUs were found to be contaminated by MC; genotypes 1.1 or 1.8 were identified in 28 of those HCUs. Conclusions: To ensure patients’ safety and adequate follow-up, clinicians and general practitioners were made aware of the results and public health measures, and recommendations were issued to prevent further cases in the healthcare settings. The Italian Society of Cardiac Surgery performed a national survey to assess the incidence of HCU-related MC prosthetic infections in cardiac surgery. No cases were reported after HCU replacement or structural modification and disinfection and possibly safe allocation outside surgical rooms.

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Efficacy of Disinfection Procedure in Air-Tight ECMOLIFE HC Heater–Cooler Unit for ECMO

Condello,

Letizia,

Tassi

et al. 2024

Biomedical Materials & Devices

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Water-borne opportunistic pathogens are responsible for a range of infections in immunocompromised and vulnerable patients, especially in healthcare facilities. Since 2013, over 100 cases of Mycobacterium chimaera prosthetic valve endocarditis and disseminated disease were notified in Europe and the USA, linked to contaminated heater–cooler units used during cardiac surgery. There is the potential for non-tuberculous mycobacteria bacteria to grow in the water tank in the heater–cooler unit. The purpose of this study is to clinically prove that ECMOLIFE HC heater–cooler ordinary disinfection procedure is effective in the prevention of Mycobacterium Chimaera contamination. ECMOLIFE HC heater–cooler was used on seven Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) procedures with mean duration of 154 ± 18 (hours). Seven water samples have been collected pre and post disinfection procedure. As disinfection procedure the ordinary was followed according to ECMOLIFE HC User Manual. Each sample was subjected to laboratory test for research by means of Real-Time PCR system of DNA M. Chimaera strain (extraction and quantification). During the clinical practice on seven ECMO procedures involving the use of ECMOLIFE HC, no Mycobacterium chimaera contamination was found in pre- and post-disinfection samples. The test can be considered pass as during normal clinical practice the ECMOLIFE HC resulted not contaminated by Mycobacterium Chimaera. Molecular analysis of all sampled solutions showed no detection of Mycobacterium Chimaera. According to ECMOLIFE HC User Manual, the disinfection method is proved to effectively disinfect ECMOLIFE HC.

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Validation of a Novel Diagnostic Approach Combining the VersaTREK™ System for Recovery and Real-Time PCR for the Identification of Mycobacterium chimaera in Water Samples

Cited by 3 publications

References 33 publications

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria: Ecology and Impact on Animal and Human Health

Epidemiological and Molecular Investigation of the Heater–Cooler Unit (HCU)-Related Outbreak of Invasive Mycobacterium chimaera Infection Occurred in Italy

Efficacy of Disinfection Procedure in Air-Tight ECMOLIFE HC Heater–Cooler Unit for ECMO

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