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WANTED: Household Water and Surface Samples from Households of Patients with Pulmonary NTM Disease
Due to overwhelming response, the study is currently closed to new participants. Future need for study participants will be advertised on the website and via email.
· Through a grant from NTM Info & Research, the mycobacteriology lab at Virginia Tech is conducting a study of water systems in the households of patients with NTM disease.
· The laboratory will supply each patient with a collection kit and detailed instructions with a return pre-paid mailing label.
· Collection of both water and surface samples (e.g. inside shower heads and taps) is not difficult and can be performed easily.
· Participating patients must currently live in the residence where the patient and doctor think infection occurred.
· Patients may have active or inactive disease, being treated or post treatment.
· Patients need to provide information so the Virginia Tech lab can obtain their NTM isolate. (Physician)
· The Virginia Tech lab will isolate the NTM and if the species of NTM from any household sample is the same as that of the patient’s isolate, the strains will be DNA fingerprinted to determine if they are related.
· If a participating patient has active disease or is still carrying NTM, care should be taken to avoid contaminating the household water samples. Collection by another family member should be considered.
· Strict confidentiality shall be maintained and there will be no cost to participating patients.
Due to overwhelming response, the study is currently closed to new participants. Future need for study participants will be advertised on the website and via email.
Joseph Falkinham, Ph.D.
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
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