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Maranha A, Alarico S, Nunes-Costa D, Melo-Marques I, Roxo I, Castanheira P, Caramelo O, Empadinhas N. Drinking Water Microbiota, Entero-Mammary Pathways, and Breast Cancer: Focus on Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1425. [PMID: 39065193 PMCID: PMC11279143 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The prospect of drinking water serving as a conduit for gut bacteria, artificially selected by disinfection strategies and a lack of monitoring at the point of use, is concerning. Certain opportunistic pathogens, notably some nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), often exceed coliform bacteria levels in drinking water, posing safety risks. NTM and other microbiota resist chlorination and thrive in plumbing systems. When inhaled, opportunistic NTM can infect the lungs of immunocompromised or chronically ill patients and the elderly, primarily postmenopausal women. When ingested with drinking water, NTM often survive stomach acidity, reach the intestines, and migrate to other organs using immune cells as vehicles, potentially colonizing tumor tissue, including in breast cancer. The link between the microbiome and cancer is not new, yet the recognition of intratumoral microbiomes is a recent development. Breast cancer risk rises with age, and NTM infections have emerged as a concern among breast cancer patients. In addition to studies hinting at a potential association between chronic NTM infections and lung cancer, NTM have also been detected in breast tumors at levels higher than normal adjacent tissue. Evaluating the risks of continued ingestion of contaminated drinking water is paramount, especially given the ability of various bacteria to migrate from the gut to breast tissue via entero-mammary pathways. This underscores a pressing need to revise water safety monitoring guidelines and delve into hormonal factors, including addressing the disproportionate impact of NTM infections and breast cancer on women and examining the potential health risks posed by the cryptic and unchecked microbiota from drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maranha
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Susana Alarico
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Daniela Nunes-Costa
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Melo-Marques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Roxo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
- Ph.D. Programme in Biomedicine and Experimental Biology (PDBEB), Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Olga Caramelo
- Gynecology Department, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC), 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Empadinhas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC-UC), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.M.); (S.A.); (D.N.-C.); (I.M.-M.); (I.R.)
- Centre for Innovative Biomedicine & Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Van Braeckel E, Bosteels C. Growing from common ground: nontuberculous mycobacteria and bronchiectasis. Eur Respir Rev 2024; 33:240058. [PMID: 38960614 PMCID: PMC11220627 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0058-2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Bronchiectasis and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are intricately intertwined, with NTM capable of being both a cause and consequence of bronchiectatic disease. This narrative review focuses on the common ground of bronchiectasis and NTM pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) in terms of diagnostic approach, underlying risk factors and treatment strategies. NTM-PD diagnosis relies on a combination of clinical, radiological and microbiological criteria. Although their epidemiology is complicated by detection and reporting biases, the prevalence and pathogenicity of NTM species vary geographically, with Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies most frequently isolated in bronchiectasis-associated NTM-PD. Diagnosis of nodular bronchiectatic NTM-PD should prompt investigation of host factors, including disorders of mucociliary clearance, connective tissue diseases and immunodeficiencies, either genetic or acquired. Treatment of NTM-PD in bronchiectasis involves a multidisciplinary approach and considers the (sub)species involved, disease severity and comorbidities. Current guideline-based antimicrobial treatment of NTM-PD is considered long, cumbersome and unsatisfying in terms of outcomes. Novel treatment regimens and strategies are being explored, including rifampicin-free regimens and inclusion of clofazimine and inhaled antibiotics. Host-directed therapies, such as immunomodulators and cytokine-based therapies, might enhance antimycobacterial immune responses. Optimising supportive care, as well as pathogen- and host-directed strategies, is crucial, highlighting the need for personalised approaches tailored to individual patient needs. Further research is warranted to elucidate the complex interplay between host and mycobacterial factors, informing more effective management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Van Braeckel
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Respiratory Infection and Defense Lab (RIDL), Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- European Reference Network on rare respiratory diseases (ERN-LUNG)
| | - Cédric Bosteels
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Respiratory Infection and Defense Lab (RIDL), Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- European Reference Network on rare respiratory diseases (ERN-LUNG)
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Li H, Zhang T. A case report of Mycobacterium fortuitum infection after muscle injection. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36060. [PMID: 38050215 PMCID: PMC10695593 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Injection-related abscesses are a common complication in clinical practice, but the identification of infected bacteria might be difficult. PATIENT CONCERNS A 51-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to a lump on her right buttock that emerged after receiving intramuscular injections to treat left shoulder joint pain. The lump gradually enlarged into a 3.0 to 4.5 cm mass at the time of admission with symptoms such as skin redness, itching, and pain. DIAGNOSES The patient received ultrasonic and other laboratory examinations. Laboratory results from the drainage indicated that the infection was caused by a rapidly growing mycobacteria and was confirmed as Mycobacterium fortuitum by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. INTERVENTIONS The patient was treated with antibiotics for 12 days after incision and drainage of the abscess in the right buttock. Local dressings were changed regularly. A migration lesion that appeared 3 days after treatment was drained and cleaned when it matured. OUTCOMES The lesion substantially decreased in size and the patient was discharged after 2 months of treatment. LESSONS Rapidly growing mycobacteria are rare but important pathogens that should be considered in patients with injection-related abscesses. Early identification and appropriate treatment can result in a favorable prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Li
- Clinical laboratory medicine in Pingdingshan Medical District, 989 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Pingdingshan, Henan, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Clinical laboratory medicine in Pingdingshan Medical District, 989 Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Pingdingshan, Henan, China
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