TABLE 1

Summary of the results from swab samples and air-sampling tests for each patient

NumberClinical speciesAge years, sexDisease typeSwab samplesAir-sampling test
Hot water inletCover of the hot water inletShower headKitchen sinkBathroom: dry#Bathroom: hot water runningBathroom: bathtub full of water+Sitting roomPotting soilGarden
1M. massiliense57, femaleNBAFB
73 colonies		AFB
3+		AFB
1 colony		AFB
2+		AFB
2 colonies		AFB
3+		N/AN/AContamination with mouldAFB
25 colonies
2MAC69, femaleNBAFB
33 colonies		NegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeAFB
132 colonies		AFB
86 colonies		N/AN/AAFB
2 colonies
3MAC69, femaleNBNegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeNegativeN/AN/A
4M. abscessus66, femaleNBAFB
33 colonies		NegativeNegativeAFB
2+		AFB
1 colony		AFB
2+		AFB
16 colonies		N/AN/AAFB
2 colonies
5M. massiliense71, femaleNBNegativeN/ANegativeAFB
3+		AFB
1 colony		M. massiliense
65 colonies		NegativeNegativeAFB
9 colonies		AFB
1 colony
5 (Second investigation) NegativeNegativeAFB
2 colonies		N/ANegativeM. massiliense
19 colonies		NegativeN/ANegativeN/A

M. massiliense: Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense; NB: nodular-bronchiectatic; AFB: acid-fast bacilli; N/A: not available; MAC: Mycobacterium avium complex; M. abscessus: Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus. #: a dry condition, in which the bathroom was not used for over 12 h prior to sampling; : a humid condition, in which hot water was running into the bathtub; +: a humid condition created 10–15 min after the bathtub was filled with hot water.