Falkinham Joseph O
Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
Microorganisms. 2021 Oct 30;9(11):2262. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms9112262.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are opportunistic human pathogens that are widespread in the human environment. In fact, NTM surround humans. The basis for their widespread presence in soils and natural and human-engineered waters lies primarily in their disinfectant resistance, biofilm formation, and adaptability to fluctuating environmental conditions. As NTM in drinking water surround humans, a major route of infection is through aerosols. The characteristics of NTM, including resistance to disinfection, adherence to surfaces and biofilm formation, present challenges to contemporary water treatment processes developed for control of and fecal coliforms.
非结核分枝杆菌（NTM）是广泛存在于人类环境中的机会性人类病原体。事实上，NTM就在人类周围。它们在土壤以及天然和人工水域中广泛存在的主要原因在于其对消毒剂的抗性、生物膜形成能力以及对波动环境条件的适应性。由于饮用水中的NTM围绕在人类周围，主要感染途径是通过气溶胶。NTM的特性，包括对消毒的抗性、对表面的粘附性和生物膜形成能力，给为控制细菌和粪便大肠菌群而开发的当代水处理工艺带来了挑战。
