Inactivation of nontuberculous mycobacteria by gaseous ozone treatment

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental bacteria resistant to many common disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation. Inhalation of aerosols generated from NTM-containing water and soil causes NTM lung disease, especially in people with underlying lung diseases and decreased immunity. To prevent healthcareacquired NTM infections, it is important to eradicate NTM living in hospital environments. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of gaseous ozone for the inactivation of NTM, namely Mycobacterium (M.) avium, M. intracellulare, M. kansasii, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and M. abscessus subsp. massiliense. Gaseous ozone treatment at 1 ppm for 3 h reduced the bacterial number of all strains by more than 97%. Gaseous ozone treatment could be a practical, effective and convenient disinfection method for NTM living in hospital environments.

Automated summary

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are resistant to common disinfectants and ultraviolet radiation. Inhalation of NTM aerosols causes lung disease, especially in people with underlying lung diseases and decreased immunity. Gaseous ozone treatment at 1 ppm for 3 hours can effectively reduce the bacterial number of NTM strains by more than 97%, making it a practical disinfection method for NTM in hospital environments.