Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare is prevalent in AIDS patients. In an effort to determine the source of this infection, hospital water systems were sampled. The water contained chlorine. What is the usual method of transmission for Mycobacterium? What is the probable source of infection in hospitals? How can such nosocomial infections be prevented?
Percentage of samples with M. avium
Hot water Cold water
February 88% February 22%
June 50% June 11%