Disinfectant and antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus water isolates

Abstract

Mycobacterium abscessus causes significant disease and is present in drinking water distribution systems where it is exposed to chlorine and chloramine. In this study, M. abscessus drinking water isolates were highly resistant to both chlorine and chloramine, with significant differences within the M. abscessus group. A laboratory evolution experiment induced chlorine resistance, and exposure to chloramine resulted in decreased imipenem susceptibility. These results suggest that exposure to disinfectants within drinking water distribution systems could result in increased disinfectant and antibiotic resistance, potentially contributing to the increasing frequency of disease.